It's official: One of Liverpool's recent transfer targets is available to sign during the January transfer window.
Last month, Liverpool were linked with a move for Southampton defender Jose Fonte, and according to the BBC today:
"Jose Fonte has handed in a transfer request. The 33-year-old Portugal defender has 18 months left to run on his current deal".
Southampton's director of football Les Reed has also confirmed the transfer request. When asked today about Fonte, Reed told the BBC:
"Jose wants to leave the club. He's formally asked for a transfer. He's had several opportunities to improve the contract situation, but reserved his right not to do that".
Fonte refutes Reed's version of events, though, and in a recent interview, the Portuguese insisted:
"There's nothing on the table that I didn't sign. I have been informed by Southampton that they are NOT offering me a new contract".
If Fonte is correct, and Southampton refused to offer him a new contract, then his transfer request makes perfect sense. After all, there's no sense sticking around when the club will (in all probability) replace him as soon as they find a viable alternative.
Manchester United are also interested, and with fellow Portuguese Jose Mourinho at the helm, a move to Old Trafford appears to make sense, especially with the club's struggles in central defence.
With 18 months left on Fonte's contract, Southampton will almost certainly expect a decent transfer fee, and with Klopp reportedly handed a £40m transfer kitty this month, Liverpool are able to afford the deal. Worth pursuing?
* Jan 2017: Described by Cedric Soares as 'amazing' player and a 'positive' influence on the team. £12m-rated (CIES)
Last month, Liverpool were linked with a move for Southampton defender Jose Fonte, and according to the BBC today:
"Jose Fonte has handed in a transfer request. The 33-year-old Portugal defender has 18 months left to run on his current deal".
Southampton's director of football Les Reed has also confirmed the transfer request. When asked today about Fonte, Reed told the BBC:
"Jose wants to leave the club. He's formally asked for a transfer. He's had several opportunities to improve the contract situation, but reserved his right not to do that".
Fonte refutes Reed's version of events, though, and in a recent interview, the Portuguese insisted:
"There's nothing on the table that I didn't sign. I have been informed by Southampton that they are NOT offering me a new contract".
If Fonte is correct, and Southampton refused to offer him a new contract, then his transfer request makes perfect sense. After all, there's no sense sticking around when the club will (in all probability) replace him as soon as they find a viable alternative.
Manchester United are also interested, and with fellow Portuguese Jose Mourinho at the helm, a move to Old Trafford appears to make sense, especially with the club's struggles in central defence.
With 18 months left on Fonte's contract, Southampton will almost certainly expect a decent transfer fee, and with Klopp reportedly handed a £40m transfer kitty this month, Liverpool are able to afford the deal. Worth pursuing?
* Jan 2017: Described by Cedric Soares as 'amazing' player and a 'positive' influence on the team. £12m-rated (CIES)
0 Comments:
Post a Comment