West Ham must hope that Crystal Palace renew reported 2017 interest in re-signing Jose Fonte

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Crystal Palace reportedly wanted West Ham United’s Jose Fonte in 2017.

When West Ham United snapped up Jose Fonte from Southampton in January 2017, many believed that they had signed an experienced centre back to solidify their back line.

The Portuguese defender had been a hero for Southampton following a 2010 move from Crystal Palace, racking up nearly 300 appearances for the club whilst featuring in League One, the Championship and the Premier League.

Fonte had established himself as one of the top defenders in the Premier League during his time with Southampton, starring alongside younger centre backs such as Dejan Lovren, Toby Alderweireld and Virgil van Dijk whilst impressing as a veteran leader.

West Ham snapped Fonte up in January of last year in an attempt to bring that leadership to their back line, but his time at the London Stadium has been a disaster so far, having struggled to settle under Slaven Bilic last term whilst looking slow and cumbersome.

Fonte, 34, has played just eight Premier League games this season and hasn’t featured at all since the end of October due to an ankle injury, with the Hammers potentially left regretting their move for the Portugal international.

With Declan Rice emerging and Angelo Ogbonna impressing under David Moyes, and a bid for Swansea City’s Alfie Mawson considered in January (Sky Sports), it’s hard to see just where Fonte fits in at West Ham beyond the end of the season.

Back in August 2017, ESPN reported that Crystal Palace were keen on re-signing Fonte, and West Ham may well be hoping that their London rivals rekindle that interest and allow them to offload the veteran centre back this summer.

Youngster Jaroslaw Jach arrived last month, but with Scott Dann injured and Jairo Riedewald still developing, manager Roy Hodgson may well be at least tempted to look into the possibility of bringing Fonte back to Selhurst Park – and West Ham would surely step aside and let him go if they did come calling.