Saints would not even consider selling Jose Fonte, according to Ronald Koeman.

The Saints skipper was this morning heavily linked with a move to Aston Villa.

Fonte was in training with his teammates at Staplewood today and preparing for Saturday’s visit of Everton to St Mary’s.

Koeman was utterly definitive on the future of his captain.

He said: “I don’t know if he is a target for another club.

“He is our captain, he’s a very strong defender, he’s a club man like Kelvin Davis and no one second thinks in my mind to sell that player.

“He’s part of the team, he’s the captain.

“No way to sell the player.”

Koeman was again coy on the potential transfer of Virgil van Dijk from Celtic, but did welcome Oriol Romeu to the club following his move from Chelsea.

“A long time he was on the scouting list,” admitted Koeman.

“I know the player already from the academy of Barcelona and I knew about his situation because I know his agent.

“Ok, at the moment we had to bring in a player in that position he was one of the candidates.

“23-year-old, played already Premier League, had a good season in Stuttgart last year and he makes the team stronger. He’s a very good player.”