Southampton defender Jose Fonte has been linked with a move to Manchester United in the January transfer window.
Liverpool legend Steve Nicol has told ESPN that he does not think that Manchester United will sign Jose Fonte in the January transfer window.
Back in July, The Times reported that United were interested in signing Fonte from Premier League rivals Southampton in the summer transfer window.
According to a recent report in The Mirror, the Red Devils could revive their interest in the 32-year-old defender in January.
The centre-back has been on the books of Southampton since 2010 and has a contract with the Saints util June 2018, according to Transfermarkt.co.uk.
Former Liverpool defender Nicol, who now works as a pundit for ESPN, does not believe that United manager Jose Mourinho will sign the Portugal international.
“Would he be a good fit?” Nicol told ESPN when asked if Fonte is a right fit for United. “I think he would be a good fit for United, but I don’t see it happening. (Eric) Bailly clearly is there for the present and the future.
“He (Mourinho) made Smalling captain at the weekend, so I don’t see him bringing in Jose Fonte at 32 because he has shown that he trusts Smalling, and as I said, Bailly is there beside him, so why is he going to spend money on Jose Fonte and not play him? It doesn’t make any sense.”
United have good central defenders, but there is always room for more at a big club like that.
Signing Fonte will allow the Red Devils to have more options on the substitutes’ bench and cover for injuries.
The Euro 2016 winner with Portugal may not be able to play regular first-team football for United, but the former Crystal Palace defender is certainly going to strengthen the Premier League giants’ squad.
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