Dani Osvaldo faces a fine of up to £240,000 – six weeks’ wages – if he is still at Southampton after Friday’s transfer deadline.
The Saints have not yet docked any pay from their record signing and are keeping all options open, meaning they could even terminate his contract.
Valencia, Inter Milan and West Ham are chasing the £15million striker suspended by his club for butting and punching team-mate Jose Fonte last week.
That suspension was pending a full investigation, the result of which could become known within days.
Southampton could hit Osvaldo with a two-week penalty, the normal amount levied for misconduct. But in extreme cases, clubs can impose a six-week fine.
Written by Steve Milne
