Arsenal Transfer Rumour: Gunners join Manchester United in race for Jose Fonte
According to ESPN, Arsenal have joined English Premier League rivals Manchester United in an attempt to sign Southampton defender Jose Fonte.
The Gunners are in desperate need of a strong centre-half after injuries to Per Mertesacker and Gabriel. Arsenal had initially identified Mustafi as their primary target, but their unwillingness to meet Valencia’s £30m evaluation of the player has resulted in the deal stalling.
With Koscielny still recovering from his Euro 2016 excursions, the Gunners were left with the inexperienced duo of Callum Chambers and Rob Holding for their opener against Liverpool, a game they ended up losing 4-3.
Koscielny is expected to be out for another week hence Fonte would be a perfect addition to the Gunners’ squad. His strength, aerial ability and technical awareness is sorely needed in a football side lacking experience at the back.
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Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho has also shown interest in the player as he looks to add experience to his defence. With Smalling, Bailly, Daley Blind and Jones as other centre-back options, The Portuguese will have to offload a defender in order to fund Fonte's signing. Marcos Rojo is expected to be the man to be shown the door.
The 32-year-old, Fonte, has been Southampton’s best defender for the past few seasons and still has 2 years left on his current contract. Priced at just £10m though, he could be a steal. The defender has made over 250 appearances for the Saints and has also played internationally for Portugal.
He was also a part of the Portuguese squad that won the Euro 2016 earlier this year. Fonte has stated that he is happy at Southampton but is open to a move to an elite club. Fonte has never played for a major team and at the age of 32, his time is running out.
According to sources, Fonte would prefer a move to United for a chance to play under compatriot Jose Mourinho. His agent Jorge Mendes is currently working on a deal with Mourinho and Woodward to bring him to the theatre of dreams.
Despite such interest from Arsenal and United, new Saints boss Claude Puel remains confident that Fonte could stay at St.Mary’s and is currently trying to negotiate with the player to sign a new deal.
Arsenal next face off against defending champions Leicester while Manchester United, on the back of a 3-1 win at Bournemouth, host Southampton.