Crystal Palace are reportedly keen to re-sign Southampton centre back Jose Fonte.
According to the Daily Mail, Crystal Palace have expressed an interest in re-signing Southampton defender Jose Fonte during this month’s transfer window.
New Eagles manager Sam Allardyce will be looking for January reinforcements to his struggling Palace side, and he is likely to focus on improving his defence.
General view of Selhurst Park
Allardyce has build his sides on strong defences over the year, and Palace – who have conceded 37 goals this season – are in desperate need of his help given that only two teams have worse defensive records this term.
Now, the Daily Mail report that Palace are keen on a move to re-sign Southampton defender Jose Fonte, seven years after selling him to the Saints.
Southampton’s Jose Fonte
Fonte, now 33, joined Palace from Benfica in 2007, and made 92 appearances during his time at Selhurst Park, before he was sold to Southampton in January 2010.
The Portuguese international – who won Euro 2016 over the summer – has racked up almost 300 appearances for Southampton, establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s top centre backs having become known for his consistency and his leadership.
However, Fonte has now handed in a transfer request, and is likely to leave Southampton this month, with Palace keen to offer him a shock return to Selhurst Park having allegedly expressed their interest in the centre back.
Whether Fonte would be willing to join Palace’s relegation battle is another matter though, as the veteran will surely want to challenge for more silverware having won Euro 2016 with Portugal, and this would certainly be an ambitious move from Allardyce.
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