Southampton centre-back Jose Fonte is keen to join Manchester United but he has also received an approach from Arsenal, sources have told ESPN FC. Before that they played in September 2015 and Manchester United won the game 2 – 3.
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Fonte’s attitude could also be significant and he was quoted on a Portuguese website yesterday.
The Gunners have lost Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista to long-term injuries.
Laurent Koscielny missed the opening day defeat to Liverpool due to his exertions at Euro 2016 earlier this summer, which in turn resulted in Arsene Wenger’s men conceding four goals and falling to defeat.
Southampton will listen to offers for the Portugal worldwide as a sign of respect for what has done for the club over the years.
The club are now considering other options, including Omer Toprak of Bayer Leverkusen and Simon Kjaer of Fenerbahce, but have now entered talks with Fonte over a potential move, according to ESPN.
The 32-year-old was part of Fernando Santos’ side that clinched the Euro 2016 title in France last month.
During his time at St Mary’s he matured into one of the Premier League’s most reliable defenders and came to worldwide prominence, making his Portugal debut against Argentina in 2014, ironically at Old Trafford.
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He said: “If the interest is there, it is a reason to be flattered to be associated with a club like Manchester United”.
