Sutton has been linked with a number of other clubs

But the Buddies boss believes that forward Billy Mehmet is moving closer to agreeing a new contract.

"I got a phone-call last night from John Sutton's agent, Tony McGill," MacPherson told his club website.

"Basically, the message was that John doesn't want to sign the contract offer we had made to him, which isn't really that great a surprise."

MacPherson believes that the 23-year-old had never been serious about remaining with the Scottish Premier League club.

"Really, all along John has just made excuses," he said.

Billy's agent got in contact with me and all I can report for now is that we had a really good conversation St Mirren manager Gus MacPherson

"Initially, he said he wanted the security of a two-year deal - it was a two-year deal we had offered him and it was always going to be that long.

"I've known for some time and, to be fair, his agent has been pretty up-front with me. He told me John wouldn't sign.

"I think John was quoted somewhere as saying 'he would be a mug not to look at all his options'.

"But, the way things panned out, I don't really think over the last five or six months that St Mirren was really an option for him. I just don't think he wanted to be here."

St Mirren will only be due compensation should the striker sign for another Scottish club.

Sutton, who began his career with Tottenham before heading for Raith Rovers and Millwall, joined the Buddies from Dundee in 2005.

He arrived in Paisley at the same time as one-time West Ham United trainee Mehmet, who had been with Dunfermline Athletic.

"Billy's agent got in contact with me and all I can report for now is that we had a really good conversation and he is now away back to speak to Billy," added MacPherson.

Fringe players David Barron, Mark Docherty, Marc McAusland, Ryan McCay, Stephen McGinn all agreed contract extensions last month.

And the versatile Alan Reid accepted a one-year offer from the Paisley outfit.