Southampton manager Claude Puel has insisted once again that Chelsea target Virgil van Dijk will not be allowed to leave the club during the January transfer window.
His No1 target remains Leonardo Bonucci, who he coached during his time at Juventus and with the Italian national team – but the 29-year-old recently extended his contract with the Turin club until 2021.
Van Dijk scored his first Premier League goal in the 4-1 defeat to Tottenham on Wednesday and, speaking on Thursday, Puel told reporters that neither he or club captain Jose Fonte will be allowed to leave next month.
"Of course they will both stay (beyond January)," he said on Thursday. "It's important for them to stay and have a good attitude and improve our position in the table.
"Virgil is a very important player for us and he will stay here. It will be important with Virgil to continue his work and (help us) go up on the table. For me it's not an idea or view with Virgil (to leave).
"(The situation of) Jose is a little peculiar but he is contracted with Southampton. It's always speculation about different players. It's normal because they are great and important players."
