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Europa League | Group Stage
Dec 8, 2016 at 8.05pm UK
 

1-1

van Dijk (91')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Buzaglo (79')

Claude Puel: 'January transfer talk is unimportant'

Puel: 'Transfer talk is unimportant'
© SilverHub
Southampton manager Claude Puel brushes off the topic of transfer speculation amid reports linking Jose Fonte and Virgil van Dijk with January moves away from the club.

Southampton manager Claude Puel has insisted that he is solely focused on matters on the field and is paying little heed to transfer speculation surrounding his players.

Defender Jose Fonte has been linked with a January move away from St Mary's amid reports that his contract talks have reached an impasse, while fellow centre-back Virgil van Dijk is also understood to be wanted by a number of teams.

However, after watching his side crash out of the Europa League courtesy of a 1-1 draw with Hapoel Be'er Sheva on Thursday night, Puel once again brushed off the topic of transfer talk.

"It's not the moment, it's not the time to speak about the window in January. All concentration on this competition and to try to come back in the first part. It is very important," he told reporters.

"I think we have lost many points with a good thing with the players, playing a good game, and now it's important to keep concentration and to be clinical to win our games.

"It's important for this competition and now we want to come back in this competition, which is to come back in the Premier League for the end of the season. This is the most important and it is a good challenge and to see a good reaction."

Southampton's next match sees them host Middlesbrough on Sunday.

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Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk in action during his side's Premier League clash with Chelsea at St Mary's Stadium on October 30, 2016
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