Liverpool are looking to capitalise on Manchester United’s uncertainty in the transfer window with regard to defender. The Red Devils have been linked with Benfica defender Victor Lindelof for the last few months, but it seems that they are close to pulling out of the deal at the last moment. The club also had one eye on Southampton defender Jose Fonte with Southeast club rejecting the advances from United in the summer. Jose Mourinho would have brought in Fonte as transfer deadline day signing had not been for Southampton’s stubbornness.
Now, the player has handed in a transfer request, it looks like United will not come in with an offer (according to M.E.N) for the player. According to Daily Star, Jose Mourinho is happy with his existing complement of defenders, who have been able to perform exceptionally well even in the absence of star summer signing Eric Bailly. The Ivory Coast international has left to play at the 2017 African Cup of Nations and may not be back until the end of January. It was seen as a serious problem for the club, but Mourinho has revealed that he has more than enough cover for the 22-year-old.
Fonte is capable of playing in centre or right side of the defence, and his versatility would be a major addition to the team. An even bigger addition, though, would be his experience, which is invaluable. As a player who has been playing in English football since 2007 when he first moved to Crystal Palace on a free transfer. He then moved to Southampton for a fee of around £ 1.5 million in 2010. He has just handed in a transfer request with 18 months of his contract left.
This January transfer window presents the best possible opportunity for Southampton to extract has much transfer fee as possible. Clubs will be reluctant to give in to their demands in the summer when he would have just 12 months left on his contract. Liverpool have been extremely prudent when it comes to signings, and they have been able to make their way to 2nd place in the table without spending a lot of money. Now, manager Jurgen Klopp looks to be on the hunt for a bargain defender once again and the same source has mentioned that they will make a move for Fonte.
If he does move, Fonte could be reunited with his former Southampton teammate Dejan Lovren. Liverpool are expected to come in with a formal offer for the 32-year-old defender in the next few days.
After winning the last six league matches without exception, Manchester United have moved within five points off Liverpool having played the same number of games.
