Claude Puel rules out Jose Fonte exit

Jose Fonte reveals a flawless six-pac after scoring for Southampton against Arsenal on December 26, 2015
© Getty Images
Southampton manager Claude Puel rules out the possibility of reported Manchester United target Jose Fonte leaving the club this summer.

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.

Jose Fonte of Southampton in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Watford and Southampton at Vicarage Road on August 23, 2015 in Watford, United Kingdom.
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester UnitedMan Utd11003123
2Liverpool11004313
3Hull City11002113
4Manchester CityMan City11002113
5Swansea CitySwansea11001013
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom11001013
7Everton10101101
8Middlesbrough10101101
9Southampton10101101
10Stoke CityStoke10101101
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs10101101
12Watford10101101
13Chelsea00000000
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham00000000
15Arsenal100134-10
16Leicester CityLeicester100112-10
17Sunderland100112-10
18Burnley100101-10
19Crystal Palace100101-10
20Bournemouth100113-20