These 2 Southampton stars must leave in January for their own good

Jose Fonte

Centre-back Jose Fonte handed in a transfer request earlier this month to state his intentions of leaving Southampton in this window.

The 33-year-old defender, who won the European Championships with Portugal last summer, sees his contract end at St Mary’s in 18 months’ time, yet it doesn’t look at all likely that he’ll extend his stay on the South Coast.

Thus, it would probably be best for both parties if Fonte moved on this month.

The Portuguese is an outstanding centre-back who has consistently been one of the better ones in the Premier League, and deserves huge credit for captaining a Southampton side that have gone from strength to strength since their return to the top-flight in 2011.

However, it looks like his time is up at St Mary’s and, with Liverpool and Manchester United both linked with the defender, Fonte looks set to leave sooner rather than later.