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José Fonte
José Fonte during training for Thursday’s Europa League match. Photograph: Paul Childs/Reuters
José Fonte during training for Thursday’s Europa League match. Photograph: Paul Childs/Reuters

Southampton’s Claude Puel says José Fonte talk not a distraction

This article is more than 7 years old
Saints defender hints at possible exit on Instagram
Southampton face Hapoel in decisive Europa League clash

Claude Puel has dismissed claims that uncertainty over the future of José Fonte may distract his Southampton team going into Thursday’s decisive Europa League tie at home to Hapoel Be’er Sheva.

Southampton are willing to sell Fonte in January if they receive a suitable offer for a player whose contract expires at the end of next season. The defender took to Instagram on Tuesday to state that he had been informed by the club that he will not be offered a new deal.

“It’s a situation and discussion between the player and the club,” Puel said when asked if Southampton had begun negotiations over an improved contract. “I cannot give a comment about this. When I saw this in the newspaper, I repeat the most important thing for me is to speak about the team and about the game tomorrow and not just this personal situation, an individual situation.

“It’s important always for me to respect the collective. The subject for me is to discuss and to speak about the game, an important game, and about the collective and the team.”

The midfielder Steven Davis said Southampton were used to dealing with the pressures of players being linked with moves away from St Mary’s and stated that Fonte’s contract situation had not been brought up in the dressing room.

“In my time here we have sold a lot of players, a lot of big players, and it shows we are doing things the right way,” he said. “It can only be taken as a positive that other teams are interested in players. I know we have a lot of quality in the dressing room and I’d be surprised if other teams weren’t looking at us.”

Southampton and Hapoel are level on points going into their final group game. A victory for either side would put them into the last 32 with the group winners, Sparta Prague. Hapoel will progress in the event of a scoring draw, on the head-to-head, after the teams drew 0-0 in Israel. A goalless game would put Southampton through on goal difference.

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