West Ham United are reportedly close to sealing the capture of Jose Fonte.
The Hammers appear to be closing in on the £8 million signing of Southampton centre-back Jose Fonte, with the player set for a medical with the East London side today, according to Sky Sports, but should West Ham have targeted a younger model?
Whilst there is no doubting the Portuguese star’s quality, it is debatable whether the potential signing of the 33-year-old is a decision that has been made with much thought of the future in mind.
Hammers fans will be hoping that Fonte can come into the side, and immediately use his experience to help turn around their fortunes, and certainly tighten up their shaky defence.
But would Slaven Bilic have been better off making a move for Sunderland’s Lamine Kone?
Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic gestures towards Sunderland’s Lamine Kone
Despite his valuation being more than double that of Fonte’s, he is six years younger, and would present a far more long-term investment.
The Ivorian has impressed for the Black Cats every time he has stepped on the pitch, displaying tremendous athleticism, and has proved to be incredibly useful at both defending and attacking set-pieces.
He made the move to the Stadium of Light from Lorient in January last year, for a fee believed to be in the region of £6 million, and has gone on to make 33 appearances for Sunderland.
Sunderland’s Patrick van Aanholt and Lamine Kone in action
The potential of Kone partnering Winston Reid at the centre of the Hammers’ defence would have been a tantalising one, with pace, strength and desire in abundance.
And despite him being on duty with the Ivory Coast at the African Cup of Nations, he would arguably have been a far better option than Fonte for West Ham this month.
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