Southampton Manager Claude Puel Claims Virgil van Dijk Will Still Be at Club Next Season

?Southampton manager Claude Puel has claimed that in-demand defender Virgil van Dijk will still be at the club next season, ?Sky Sports have reported.

The 25-year-old centre-back has been strongly linked with a move to Premier League leaders Chelsea, while Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal are also rumoured to be interested.

Southampton were expected to demand an astronomical fee for for van Dijk, although it seems they are now reluctant to sell at all.

Reports have suggested that the player could demand a world record fee for a defender, higher than the £50m PSG paid Chelsea for David Luiz in 2014.

But van Dijk extended his contract only last summer with the Saints, meaning that he still has five years left to run on his current deal.

The towering Dutchman has impressed since joining Southampton for £13m in 2015, particularly this season. He has 21 Premier League appearances to his name in a side that boast one of the division’s meanest defensive records, and a further eight starts in cup competitions.