Southampton boss Claude Puel did his best to side step speculation about the departure of Jose Fonte as he looked ahead to his side’s Europa League clash with Hapoel Be’er Sheva.
The defender took to social media earlier in the week to express his disappointment about the failure of the club to offer him a deal beyond 2018.
Fonte will be 33 later this month but that hasn’t deterred Manchester United and Everton from showing interest in the defender.
Both clubs would be happy to offer Fonte a pay hike and a deal until 2019 with Southampton believed to be prepared top sell if the money is right in January.
Asked today about Fonte Saints boss Puel told The Guardian: “It’s a situation and discussion between the player and the club.
“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.”
Fonte’s defensive colleague Virgil van Dijk is also in big demand from top clubs but Saints are likely to resist any offers in January as they look to finish as high up the table as possible.
Better news for Saints is Sam McQueen’s decision earlier in the week to sign a deal that will keep him at St Mary’s until 2021.