Manchester United are reportedly still pursuing Southampton defender Jose Fonte ahead of the January transfer window.
Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic in action with Southampton’s Jose Fonte
According to The Sun, Southampton fear losing defender Jose Fonte, as Premier League rivals Manchester United remain keen on the centre back.
The Saints have lost a host of players in recent years, and two of their stars left the club for Manchester United in Luke Shaw and Morgan Schneiderlin, whilst the likes of Dejan Lovren, Nathaniel Clyne, Adam Lallana and Sadio Mane all headed to Liverpool.
Now, whilst The Sun report that Liverpool are keen on another raid – this time for defender Virgil van Dijk – they also claim that Manchester United want his central defensive partner Jose Fonte.
Fonte, 32, has been a mainstay of the Southampton side ever since joining the club from Crystal Palace back in January 2010, and has been with the club throughout their rise from League One to the Premier League.
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho
Now one of the top flight’s best central defenders, the Portuguese international – who played a huge part in helping his country win European Championships over the summer – is allegedly attracting interest.
It’s claimed that Manchester United and their Portuguese boss Jose Mourinho are keen on Fonte, given the patchwork nature of United’s back line at times this season.
Chris Smalling and Eric Bailly are both out injured, Daley Blind has had his ups and downs this term, whilst Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo may have started against Arsenal on Saturday, but don’t look to be Mourinho’s long-term partnership at the back.
Portugal’s Jose Fonte celebrates
Instead, Mourinho may look to add a wily veteran to help solidify his defence, and Fonte fits the bill perfectly having been the calming influence in Southampton’s back line whilst leading the club as their captain for more than two years.
No matter who Fonte has been paired with at Southampton, whether it’s been Dejan Lovren, Toby Alderweireld or now Van Dijk, Fonte has been a rock in the heart of the Saints defence – and with United allegedly lurking, it’s no surprise that Southampton are fearing the worst over a player who may fancy a push for the Premier League title or Champions League football at this stage in his career.
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