BURNLEY may have to move quickly to secure the signature of Jack Cork after Chelsea accepted bids from both Blackpool and Southampton.

Cork has spent the last 18 months on loan at Turf Moor from Chelsea and indicated recently that he would be happy to join on a permanent deal this summer after enjoying a successful spell with the Clarets.

But a host of clubs have now joined the chase for the England under 21 midfielder, with Nottingham Forest and Leeds also understood to be interested, while there remains a possibility that Swansea will decide to make a move following their promotion to the Premier League.

Burnley boss Eddie Howe has been pleased with Cork’s performances and has said that he intends to open talks about a permanent move for the 21-year-old, who has decided to call time on his career at Stamford Bridge after seeing his hopes of breaking into the first team frustrated.

It is Blackpool and Southampton, though, who are understood to have stolen a march on the Clarets by having bids accepted by Chelsea, who are said to have lowered their demands and are reported to want around £750,000.

Blackpool have held an interest in Cork since last summer and may see him as a potential replacement for Charlie Adam or David Vaughan, both linked with moves elsewhere, as they prepare for life back in the Championship.

Cork spent time on loan three years ago at Southampton, promoted from League One last month, and also played under their current boss Nigel Adkins during a temporary spell with Scunthorpe.

He has been given permission by Chelsea to speak to both clubs and that could even happen before the end of the week, with the player on his way back from a training camp in Spain as he continues his preparations for the UEFA Under 21 Championships in a fortnight. England’s under 21s play Norway in a friendly at Southampton’s St Mary’s Stadium on Sunday.

Cork is said to be keen to resolve his future as swiftly as possible but knows he faces a big decision as he prepares to make his first permanent move after loan spells at six clubs, encompassing 168 appearances.

Forest and Leeds are also considering moves, although the player still seems likely to choose Burnley over fellow Championship clubs providing they enter the race with a formal bid that is acceptable to Chelsea.

Cork has made it clear that he feels settled at Turf Moor although the Clarets’ hopes of signing him could yet suffer a blow if Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers, who worked with the player during his days as the boss of Chelsea’s youth and reserve sides, decides to offer him the chance of regular football in the Premier League.

Swansea, likely to lose midfielder Darren Pratley on a Bosman free transfer this summer, have been linked with an interest in Cork in the past and will now be starting to formulate their plans for next season after gaining promotion in the play-off final on Monday.