Everton have reportedly joined Manchester United in the race to sign Southampton defender Jose Fonte by launching a £9 million bid for the Portugal international, according to the Daily Record.
Toffees boss Ronald Koeman made the 32-year-old his captain during his time with the Saints, and with John Stones on the verge of departing Goodison Park for a £50 million move to Manchester City, the Dutchman is keen to bring in the Euro 2016 winner as his replacement.
The Merseyside outfit are understood to have offered £9 million for the centre-back’s services as they look to tighten up a defence that conceded 55 goals in the Premier League last season – the sixth worst in the division – but the south coast outfit are likely to reject any advances from their former manager.
However, Jose Mourinho is also said to be keen on bringing Fonte to Old Trafford to provide some more experience at centre-half alongside the likes of Chris Smalling and new-boy Eric Bailly.