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West Ham fans demand answers amid reports Jose Fonte is China-bound

David Gold, Joint Chairman of West Ham United signs autographs for fans during a West Ham United family fun day at London Stadium on February 15, 2...
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Jose Fonte could leave West Ham United for the Chinese Super League one year after he arrived from Premier League rivals Southampton.

Jose Fonte of West Ham United in action during a Pre Season Friendly between Manchester City and West Ham United at the Laugardalsvollur stadium on August 4, 2017 in Reykjavik, Iceland.

Jose Fonte has not really lived up to expectations at West Ham.

The centre-back arrived with a big reputation and a big price-tag when he signed from Southampton for £8 million in January 2017, as reported by Sky Sports, but has struggled to find consistent form and fitness in claret and blue.

Fonte has not played a single minute for the Hammers since David Moyes was appointed in November, and according to the Daily Record, the 34-year-old might have already played his last game for the club.

It is reported that Fonte has agreed a deal to sign for newly promoted Chinese Super League side Dalian Yifang for a cut-price fee of just £4.8 million.

Jose Fonte of West Ham United tackles Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and West Ham United at Selhurst Park on October 28, 2017 in...

While Fonte has been a shadow of the defender who was superb for Southampton in their journey from League One to the top flight, fans have taken to Twitter in their droves to wonder why he is being sold with three months of the season still to go.

After all, Fonte looked solid at the start of the season in Slaven Bilic’s three-man defence and, with the transfer window shut outside of China, West Ham have no chance to sign a replacement.

Jose Fonte of West Ham United goes down holding his ankle during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and West Ham United at Selhurst Park on October 28, 2017 in London, England.

While you could argue that West Ham would maybe never get £4.8 million again for a 34-year-old, it has not boosted the popularity of the club’s owners to see them cash in on Fonte – just two months after David Sullivan sensationally claimed that his children begged him not to sign the Euro 2016 winner.