The biggest transfer news coming from within the Premier League so far is that Southampton captain Jose Fonte has formally handed in a transfer request. The Portuguese international has spent nearly seven years with the Saints but it is clear now that he wants to leave St.Mary’s for something else before his career comes to an end.
While Fonte is 33 years old, he is by no means a bad defender and his expertise and experience could greatly benefit any club willing to sign him – be it as a first choice or a backup. Here, we look at five clubs that would like to sign the Euro winning player.
#5 Arsenal
The least likely out of the possible clubs who would like to sign Fonte, Arsenal did show some interest in signing the centre-back back in September when there were rumours about him leaving in the first place.
While Arsenal have a good defensive back line with Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi as the preferred centre-backs, Fonte would definitely be an upgrade over the injured Per Mertesacker who has not been in the good books of Gooners for quite a while now. Moreover, his experience would certainly help youngsters like Rob Holding.
If Wenger would like to lure Fonte to Emirates, he can easily do so as the prospect of playing with the Gunners is not one you turn down at the twilight of your career.
#4 Everton
The Merseyside outfit did just sign Ashley Williams who was 31 years old last summer, so clearly Koeman is not beyond buying an “old” and experienced defender to sort out some problems at the back.
Having sold John Stones for a whopping £50 million to Manchester City, Everton certainly have the funds to finance a move and it’s not like their centre back pairing is the most effective in the league. Rarely keeping clean sheets and having no proper centre back backup apart from 20-year-old Holgate, Everton could very well do with an experienced defender like Fonte.
Moreover, the manager and the player have spent some time together at St.Mary’s, and hence a move is all the more likely.
The Southampton captain could provide some much-needed stability at the back and even as a backup option there is no one better at the moment. A signing that the club should definitely look into.
#3 Liverpool
Despite signing Joel Matip and Ragnar Klavan in the summer, the Liverpool defence has looked anything but solid since the season has started. The Reds are currently second on the table, but they could very well have been first if not for their defensive shabbiness.
Liverpool have raided Southampton several times before and the likes of Dejan Lovren, Adam Lallana and Sadio Mane are integral members of the team now – so why not? Not only is Fonte a veteran of the Premier League having now spent over six years in the league (which is more than any current Liverpool centre back), he would provide a very good bench option to Jurgen Klopp.
Matip has been suffering from an injury and the boss often plays Lucas as a makeshift centre-back which has not worked out very well. The arrival of Fonte could mean the addition of an experienced defender at the back and on the bench. Liverpool are also one of the bookies' favourites to sign Fonte as of now.
#2 Manchester United
The odds on favourite to sign the Southampton captain and for good reason.
Jose Mourinho is known for his defensive prowess, and despite some great performances in the past month, Manchester United have not looked solid at the back. Rojo is as reliable as a child with a machine gun while Chris Smalling is not looking like the defender he was in the past two seasons. Also with summer signing Eric Bailly off for national duty in the AFCON, a centre back signing would be very much welcome.
Fonte could possibly start at the club with Mourinho often changing his team and even when Bailly returns, he is a great bench option who could play in the Europa and domestic cup games. Surely, the Red Devils would want this veteran.
#1 Manchester City
While Manchester City have not been heavily linked with the Portuguese, it is a match made in heaven.
Pep Guardiola’s team has been as shaky at the back like a cottage in a hurricane and visible signs of frustration at his team’s inability to defend have been showing on the manager recently. Nicolas Otamendi looks the only good centre back as Stones has been lacklustre and captain Vincent Kompany is perennially injured.
Signing Fonte would be a great, fast solution for their problems at the back. As aforementioned, the defender is well adjusted to the league and can fill in for Kompany as well as guide the young Stones as well as any other defender there is.
Not to mention Fonte would probably not decline a move to the Etihad as things stand. Definitely, this move would benefit both parties at least for a season and a half.
