MIDFIELD enigma Anders Svensson's Saints career could soon be over.

The Swedish international is out of contract at the end of this season and is close to reaching an agreement with former club Elfsborg for a return to his homeland, though IFK Gothenborg are also keen.

A three-man delegation from Elfsborg, including head coach Magnus Haglund, visited Svensson in England last weekend - the player having been left out of the Saints squad for the FA Cup win at Northampton.

And after a board meeting last night, Elfsborg chief executive Thomas Nyberg confirmed his club WILL give Svensson a concrete offer.

Nyberg added that he is hoping Svensson will accept the deal by the end of next week.

Saints boss Harry Redknapp said he not had contact from any clubs keen to sign Svensson during the January transfer window.

But Svensson has been free to speak to other clubs since January 1 and sign a pre-contract agreement with another side for when his Saints deal expires and he can leave St Mary's for nothing.

Svensson, who joined Saints from Swedish club Elfsborg for £600,000 in 2001, told a Swedish newspaper in his home town of Boras: "Football wise, we have reached a full agreement and the club is now working to solve the financial issues we have discussed.

"If they succeed, I will most probably sign for Elfsborg.

"IFK have been in the picture all the time and I have also talked to them about future possibilities, but Elfsborg is the club in my heart and it would be like coming home. But I do not want to rush things."

He added: "The only reason to stay abroad is if I get a really exciting offer from a big club."

Svensson is disappointed that he hasnot been offered a new contract by Saints.

"Their actions speak for themselves," he said.

"Without being self-righteous, I have done my best season, maybe been the best player, and they won't even discuss it.

"I no longer fit into Southampton's view of football and for me it's time for something new."

Redknapp admitted: "I haven't had anyone interested in him, no-one's contacted me about him."

Speaking of any possible contract extension at St Mary's, the manager added: "At the moment you're waiting to see what division you're in.

"If you're in the Premier League you can look at it, but until then we've just got to get on with it and make sure we stay up."

Gothenborg's director Mats Persson said: "It depends on what demands he has got. It would be fantastic if we could succeed."

Svensson opened talks with Saints in the summer about extending his contract, but nothing was finalised and no further negotiations have taken place.

Svensson has appeared in every single Premiership match for Saints this season apart from one - the 2-1 New Year's Day defeat at Manchester City.

He has started 18 Premier League games and come on as a sub in three others. Though he didn't score at all last season, he has four goals in 2004/05 - including both in the dismal 2-2 home draw with fellow Premiership strugglers West Brom in November.

Only fellow midfielder Rory Delap, who has missed one game through suspension, has appeared in as many games as the Swede.

Svensson has made 94 Premiership starts for Saints plus another 24 as a sub and scored 10 goals.

He has also scored 10 international goals for Sweden in 49 appearances - the most famous strike being his free-kick against Argentina in the 2002 World Cup finals.