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Southampton will slap a £40million price tag on Virgil van Dijk after boss Claude Puel insisted the defender does NOT have a buyout clause in his contract.

Van Dijk, 25, is wanted by a host of top clubs including Manchester City and Everton after a string of stellar displays for Saints.

But when asked about a £25m buyout in the six-year deal Van Dijk penned in the summer, Puel said: “It is not true.

“After this I make no comment about speculation, just to say that Virgil is an important player for the team. For me it’s not a possibility to see him leave.”

(Image: Getty) (Image: Action Images via Reuters)

Meanwhile Saints defender Sam McQueen has backed record signing Sofiane Boufal to become an ‘unbelievable player’ – starting at Stoke tonight (Weds).

The £16m Boufal scored his first Premier League goal by bagging a screamer in Sunday’s 1-0 win at home to Middlesbrough.

McQueen said: “Sofiane scored a fantastic goal. He did something similar against Sunderland in the EFL Cup and it was a joy to watch and be a part of it.

(Image: Action Images via Reuters)

“When he first came to the club he was injured, but as soon as he was on the pitch, he was showing his qualities.

His feet are mesmerising at times. He’s got the quality and the ability, that can’t be questioned.

“He’s got more to come, and he can add a bit more in terms of physicality, intelligence and decision making, but he’s got real class.

“If he gets those small things right, he can be an unbelievable player.”