With the transfer deadline looming and an announcement of a new contract being signed looking no nearer, rumours abound that jack Cork is about to leave St Mary's.

The word on the street is that Swansea City might leave St Mary's on Sunday with the signature of Jack Cork on a contract to join them in Wales in their pockets and although that will be sad news for Saints fans it could also mean a signing or two is on the horizon.

Jack Cork has been a great servant for this club and I dont blame him for not signing a new deal, under Mauricio Pochettino Cork was marginalised and at the start of this season Cork clearly had a battle on his hands to beat off the competition for a central midfield place.

Whilst he has done that to a degree it cannot be denied that the great form of not only Wanyama but Schneiderlin and Steven Davis has seen him drop down a notch in the pecking order and if he wants first team football as a regular started he perhaps is going to struggle to get that at St Mary's

Some might say that a gap might open in the side if Morgan Schneiderlin heads off in the summer as is expected, but with Ronald Koeman linked with several midfield players from his old stamping ground at Feyenoord not to mention the likes of Harrison Reed and James Ward Prowse, Cork might see that the writing could be on the wall.

The fact is that he is good enough to command a starting place in over half the teams in the league and its testimony to how Ronald Koeman has built the squad and indeed our youth set up that he can't at Saints.

Cork obviously has to do what is best for his own career and it could be that although he might perhaps prefer to wait till the end of the season to see how the land lies, that he might have to make a decision sooner and Saints might prefer to cash in now and get some money if they can get the man or men they want before the transfer deadline.

If they cant get in who they want then I expect to see Cork stay, but if he does go then hopefully Saints will ensure that he is unable to play against us on Sunday, of course it would be strange to say farewell to him in another shirt, but the fact is he is a good player and we do need the points on Sunday.

If Cork does go either now or at the end of the season then he should be warmly thanked by the supporters and not berated as a traitor who would not sign a new deal, if the Saints midfield was not so crowded with class players with perhaps more on the horizon them probably he would have been delighted to stay.

Photo: Action Images

TimSaint added 13:28 - Jan 29 Its a shame, bit he's off. According to Sky Sports News, Swansea are in ADVANCED talks with Southampton to sign Jack Cork. Other than more game time, I can't think why a London lad with a young family would opt for a move to South Wales - especially as his best mate in football is already at Saints (Bertrand). I guess with the Bony sale, the swans have plenty of cash burning a hole in their pocket. Perhaps they are offering Jack and indeed Saints,a package that simply can't be turned down ? Will be sad to see him go, as he was a likeable character and player - and of course he is an Englishman in a league being taken over by foreign imports. No doubt than Koeman has a number of replacements up his sleeve, so we look forward to welcoming the next set of talents from the Dutch league :-) Thanks for everything Jack and you are going to be involved in Sunday's game, please be on our side :-)

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ChristchurchSaint added 13:30 - Jan 29 Excellent summary Nick- sadly Jack has been an unlucky victim of circumstances and also our progress. He got injured at totally the wrong time for him, had he been fit and got one or two games under his belt, then he would probably have been in the team now. Also with the best will in the world, he is going to suffer even more if we make Champions League or Europa League- whilst nobody could doubt his committment when he pulls on the red and white stripes, he will slide down the pecking order if we sign the likes of Clasie, and his games would be limited to Carling cup matches next season. One thing is for sure, whoever he moves to, somebody will be getting a player who works hard and performs well, and I would feel that they would be getting a bargain.

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A1079 added 14:50 - Jan 29 I would be disappointed to see Cork go, he has been great for the club, but it is starting to look inevitable. Obviously I have no idea or inside knowledge, but it kind of feels that this should have been dealt with and sorted out last summer and we have stumbled almost to this position and it does not feel it has been handled that well, but I accept, my impression is a gut one and not a fact based one. I think he would have stayed etc given the right outcome, but there is a line in the sand for both parties I guess. For all the talk of possible replacements from RK's old stumping ground and elsewhere, it kind of worries me that we are becoming heavily reliant on imports from RK's ex-club and elsewhere, who will undoubtedly be off, as soon as RK is off, whenever that will be. Part of the reason RK was able to kick start this season better than we ever imagined is because of the core team of Davis, Cork, Ward-Prowse, Fonte, Schneiderlin, etc.

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SaintNick added 17:46 - Jan 29 Im not sure we have stumbles to this position, I think the club have probably tabled the offer several months ago, however it is not in the clubs interest to make that public, something that they did in naivety last year with Rodriguez and several others
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BarnetSaint added 20:56 - Jan 29 A1079 makes an important point. Our fate being linked to RK being here for the foreseeable. Still, no point worrying about that now.
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saintandy added 09:10 - Jan 30 It's in my nature to worry......
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TimSaint added 10:25 - Jan 30 JWP has today signed a 5 year contract, according to Sky Sports News. Although this is good news, I hope this 'signing' is not Jack's replacement and that we still get a new player or 2 in, before close of play on Monday. Hopefully they have added a goal bonus into JWP's new deal, as he really needs to start converting those great chances he's been getting. I can't remember him ever scoring for Saints, apart from maybe in a cup game at Coventry 3 or 4 years back ? He has also notched for the England U21's I seem to recall, so come on James, lets have some Prem goals please - starting on Sunday :-)

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PezzaSaint added 22:38 - Jan 30 Very disappointed to see Jack Cork go. A very capable player who always did a solid job for the team and very rarely gave the ball away. I can only think his modest tackling ability and lack of pace turned MP and now RK off him? I think he'll do well at Swansea if he gets a run of games. With Morgan likely to go in the summer really hoping we can now get Clasie in.
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