Saints are resigned to losing Jack Cork in January after Ronald Koeman confirmed the midfielder has formally rejected the club’s offer of a new contract.

Koeman said that Cork is currently in Swansea, where it is understood he is undergoing a medical before penning a deal that will see him move to the Welsh side for a fee of around £3m.

Cork, who will not be eligible to immediately face Saints when Swansea visit St Mary’s at the weekend, turned down what Koeman believed was a generous offer to extend his stay beyond the end of his current deal which expired at the end of the season in favour of the move.

The Daily Echo understands that Saints offered Cork a long term deal which would have put him amongst the squad's top earners, but would not guarantee him first team football.

Koeman said: “There is no chance (of Cork staying) if the player don’t accept the contract.

“I spoke to Jack yesterday morning because they had two months the time to think about that situation and that contract and they didn’t accept and then you make a decision.

“Normally the coach will give attention to other players or to young players or to new players.

“If you make that kind of decision you know there is no future for you in the club.”

He added: “The latest news is that Jack is now in Swansea.

“I said before the club offered him a very good contract but his feeling was not good to stay more time in the club.

“He likes to play more games, I can’t guarantee players that.

“We have really a tough competition between our midfield players.

“Harry Reed is developing himself in a very good way and it’s up to the player.

“He finished his contract this season and if he don’t accept his contract then for the coach it’s an easy question.”

Koeman also confirmed that there had been no further movement on Nathaniel Clyne’s new contract, but that Saints had not received any offers for the player.

He also reiterated that he didn’t expect Dani Osvaldo to return to Saints this season with rumours linking the player on loan at Inter Milan to a host of different sides.