Rather than QPR’s Onuoha should Burnley target West Ham’s Fonte?

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Burnley are interested in QPR’s Nedum Onuoha but could they target another experienced defender in West Ham’s Jose Fonte?

Alex Revell of Northampton Town contests the ball with Nedum Onuoha of Queens Park Rangers during the Carabao Cup first round.

Burnley have made an enquiry about signing QPR captain Nedum Onuoha, according to the Daily Mail, with their options at centre-back somewhat limited.

Kevin Long was drafted in during the weekend’s 1-0 victory over Watford for his first Premier League appearance of the season due to an injury to Ben Mee, with his central defensive partner James Tarkowski the only other natural option in the position currently at Turf Moor.

Sean Dyche, manager of Burnley, walks out onto the pitch prior to the Premier League match against Watford.

Much of the success of Sean Dyche’s side this season in the English top flight – with them currently seventh in the table after 16 matches – has been built on a solid defence. Only top two Manchester City and Manchester United have conceded fewer than the Lancashire outfit’s 12 goals.

However, the recent injury to Mee shows how close Dyche is from having to play others out of position and hence why the 46-year-old has reportedly turned his attention to Onuoha.

Yet is there another experienced centre-back already in the division that could easily be snapped up having fallen out with his current club? That man is West Ham United’s Jose Fonte.

West Ham United defender Jose Fonte (L) vies with Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha during the English Premier League football match.

In an interview with the Guardian, Hammers co-owner David Sullivan says his children “begged him” not to sign Fonte from Southampton for £8m in January.

The 33-year-old has since described Sullivan’s comments as “ignorance”, as outlined by the Telegraph, and there is now speculation the Portugal international could leave the London Stadium in the next transfer window.

While Fonte is not getting any younger and has struggled for form at West Ham, he was always an effective presence with the Saints and also played a key part in his national team winning Euro 2016.