Claude Puel rules out Jose Fonte exit

Southampton manager Claude Puel has ruled out the possibility of captain Jose Fonte leaving the club this summer.

The Portuguese defender has been linked with Manchester United, while former Saints boss Ronald Koeman was also credited with an interest in taking him to Everton.

However, Puel stressed the 32-year-old's importance to the team and insists that he is going nowhere.

"It is important to keep Jose Fonte at Southampton. He is a very important player for the team, a good player and I don't see that it is possibility for him to leave us," he told reporters.

Southampton begin their Premier League campaign at home to Watford on Saturday.