Jose Fonte left Southampton for West Ham United back in January… but should the Saints bring him back in light of recent events.
Former Southampton skipper and Portugal defender Fonte was sold to the Hammers for £8million in the January window.
The fee raised eyebrows at the time given Fonte is 33 and turning 34 this season.
And things have not gone well for him since moving to East London with supporters keen for the club to offload him as they have done with a number of last season’s flop signings.
In light of the unsavoury situation unfolding at Southampton this week should the south coast club bring back their former captain to replace their current one?
Virgil van Dijk handed in a transfer request yesterday and said he is “insulted” at suggestions he refused to train for the club.
The Netherlands centre-back, 26, is wanted by a number of clubs including Liverpool and Chelsea.
In July, Saints manager Mauricio Pellegrino said that he ordered the Dutchman to train alone and it now appears his future lies elsewhere.
So could West Ham and Southampton kill two birds with once stone and come to an agreement which sees Fonte return to his old club where he was a firm fans’ favourite.
If, as is expected, van Dijk leaves it will see the Saints bereft of real leaders and bringing Fonte back for a minimal fee would address that in the short-term at least.
Jose Fonte has failed to impress at West Ham
It would also take the pressure off Southampton to bring in a long-term replacement with rival clubs knowing how much money they have burning a hole in the pocket if the Dutchman does leave.
West Ham fans would not be disappointed to see him leave and the Hammers would probably welcome the chance to recoup part of their fee, particularly if they are to follow up reported interest in Manchester United’s Chris Smalling.
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