Southampton hope to see West Ham’s bid for Jose Fonte spark a bidding war, with Everton and Manchester United interested.
According to the Daily Star, Southampton are hoping that a bidding war sparks for defender Jose Fonte following West Ham United’s £4million offer.
The Saints beat Liverpool 1-0 in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final clash on Wednesday evening, managing to keep a clean sheet despite the absence of Jose Fonte.
Everton’s Ross Barkley in action with Southampton’s Jose Fonte
Fonte, 33, was left out of the squad having submitted a transfer request to leave the club, and it’s unclear whether he’ll return for this weekend’s game away at Burnley.
Ahead of that game, Southampton have received an offer for Fonte, with the Daily Star noting that West Ham United have made a £4million bid for the Portuguese star – just half of Southampton’s £8million asking price.
Southampton’s Jose Fonte
Fonte – who won Euro 2016 with Portugal over the summer – has not only become one of the Premier League’s most dependable centre backs, but has also been a loyal servant for Southampton ever since his January 2010 move from Crystal Palace.
Fonte has racked up nearly 300 appearances for Southampton, but his time at St. Mary’s appears to be coming to an end, with West Ham keen to land him during this month’s transfer window.
However, it’s stated that Southampton now hope that West Ham’s offer sparks a bidding war, with Manchester United and Everton both monitoring the situation ahead of possible bids for the centre back.
Fonte would certainly help solidify a shaky West Ham defence, but leaving Southampton for the London Stadium seems like a sideways move at best right now, and the veteran may want to challenge for more silverware after his Euro 2016 success.
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