Manchester United have held informal talks with Southampton over a potential £8 million deal for central defender José Fonte, according to ESPN FC.
José Mourinho wants an experienced leader in the heart of his defence and has identified his 32-year-old fellow countryman as the most realistic target to fulfill the role.
However, Mourinho may have to offload one of his current defenders to fund the deal for Fonte, with Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones being the most likely to exit Old Trafford before the end of the transfer window.
Fonte has plenty of experience in English football, having come all the way from League One to become the Saints’ captain in the Premier League and played a vital role in Portugal’s Euro 2016 victory earlier this summer, starting all of the Seleção’s knockout games as they lifted the Henri Delaunay Trophy in Paris.
With Eric Bailly expected to head off on international duty with the Ivory Coast at the African Cup of Nations in January, Mourinho also wants depth in his side to cover his expected absence.
Southampton will not stand in Fonte’s way if he wants to exit St Mary’s this summer, as his contract reportedly has a gentleman’s agreement that the Saints will accept a better offer from elsewhere if it is officially made by a club.
Arsenal and Everton are also reportedly interested in signing Fonte, with the Gunners joining the Reds in putting in an approach for the Portuguese international.
