Manchester United are reportedly set to make an interesting offer for Jose Fonte.
New Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho poses
According to The Mirror, Manchester United are ready to offer up defender Marcos Rojo in a part-exchange deal for Southampton centre back Jose Fonte.
The Red Devils have enjoyed a remarkable summer, as having appointed Jose Mourinho as the club’s new manager, United then embarked on a spending spree, snapping up Eric Bailly, Paul Pogba, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in big-money deals.
With a 3-1 win over Bournemouth to open the season, United look strong right now – but manager Mourinho may still want some new faces before the transfer deadline in just two weeks.
Jose Fonte celebrates after scoring for Southampton
The Mirror report that Mourinho wants to bring compatriot Jose Fonte to Old Trafford, with United ready to make a move for Southampton’s Portuguese defender – despite already having Bailly, Daley Blind and Chris Smalling at the club.
Fonte, 32, has been one of the Premier League’s most dependable defenders in recent years, racking up 135 top flight appearances since Southampton’s promotion in 2012.
Manchester United’s Marcos Rojo in action with Norwich’s Sebastien Bassong
The former Crystal Palace man is fresh off helping Portugal win Euro 2016, and it seems that Mourinho is keen to make Fonte his newest signing – and is ready to offer a part-exchange deal to get the switch completed.
The report claims that United will offer up unwanted defender Marcos Rojo to Southampton in a deal for Fonte, with the Argentinian international seemingly surplus to requirements under Mourinho.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
A 2014 signing from Sporting, Rojo has played at left back and centre back for United, but has largely been unable to nail down a regular spot in the team – and could now head to the South Coast in exchange for Fonte.
However, it’s also added that Mourinho faces competition from his old nemesis Arsene Wenger, who is looking to lure Fonte to Arsenal to solve his side’s defensive woes.
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