José Fonte confirmed that he and others at the club felt it was impossible for Dani Osvaldo to remain with Saints after the striker’s alleged headbutt on the defender.

Osvaldo was suspended by the club for two weeks following last month’s training ground incident, and was then loaned out to Juventus on transfer deadline day.

Fonte, who revealed that the Italian international had since offered an apology, said: “The situation has happened and the team, the manager, the club, made everyone well aware that it would be best for him to move on, and for that to happen, obviously, the group felt there was no conditions for him to keep with us, it’s as simple as that.”

Juventus have an option to purchase Osvaldo in the summer, and it is difficult to imagine him being reintegrated at Saints, although Fonte revealed that there had been some communication from the former Roma man since the incident.

“There have been a couple of text messages, apologising and stuff,” said the centre half. “But some things take time to heal.

“He left, obviously he left for a reason, and it was for the best for the team and the club.

“We move on, I’ve moved on, and he has surely moved on as well, so everything is alright.

“The club thought it was for the best, so, if the club decided that it is for the best, then, obviously, it will be best for the group.”