Manchester United eye surprise move for Southampton defender

Manchester United are reportedly eyeing a surprise move for Southampton defender Jose Fonte, according to the Sunday Times via Goal.

Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho had previously said that he wanted to make four signings this summer, with the last one of those expected to be a central midfielder – a world-record move for Juventus’ Paul Pogba is still in the offing.

However, rumours now suggest that the Portuguese manager also wants to add an experienced centre-back to provide competition to the likes of Chris Smalling and another new-boy, Eric Bailly, with Saints man Fonte said to be on his three-man shortlist, alongside Juve’s Leonardo Bonucci and Zenit St Petersburg’s Ezequiel Garay.

The south coast outfit’s captain, who was victorious with Portugal at the European Championship finals in France this summer, has been with Southampton since 2010, making 267 appearances in all competitions, scoring 15 goals.

Other than Bailly, United have also signed Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Borussia Dortmund and Zlatan Ibrahimovic on a free transfer.