Arsenal Make Approach To Hijack Man Utd’s Deal For £10m Portuguese Star

The summer transfer window is in full swing so we’ll bring you all the latest transfer rumours and gossip from around the globe. Today, Arsenal join the race for Jose Fonte…

Arsenal have made an approach to hijack Manchester United’s proposed move for Southampton’s £10m-rated centre-back Jose Fonte this summer, according to ESPN.

Despite Eric Bailly’s encouraging start to life in England, Jose Mourinho is understood to be keen on bringing in an experienced central defender to further strengthen his back-line and Fonte has emerged as a prime target.

ESPN claim that United have opened talks over a potential £10m deal to sign the Portuguese international with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward negotiating directly with Fonte’s agent Jorge Mendes – who also represents Mourinho.

However, United need to shift one of their existing defenders before any deal can be completed and that’s left the door open for Arsenal as the report suggests that the Gunners have now made an approach to hijack United’s move for Fonte.

Arsene Wenger is desperately trying to sign a new centre-back after Gabriel and Per Mertesacker were both ruled out with long-term injuries and it appears the Arsenal boss has turned his attention to Fonte as a cheaper alternative to Shkodran Mustafi.

The north Londoners have been strongly linked with a move for the German international in recent weeks but are struggling to agree a deal with Valencia as the Spaniard’s are demanding around £30m for the 24-year-old.

Fonte would cost a third of that price and would also provide plenty of Premier League experience so you can see why he’s a tempting proposition for Wenger and indeed Mourinho.

ESPN claim that Fonte is keen on joining an elite club like Arsenal or United but is particularly excited by the prospect of working under his compatriot at Old Trafford, so it appears United are in pole position to secure his signature.

The 32-year-old has become one of the most consistent defenders in the Premier League since helping Southampton gain promotion to the top flight and has also become a regular for the Portuguese national team, helping them win the Euro’s this summer.

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We’ll have to wait and see how things develop over the coming days but I think Fonte would be an excellent short-term solution for either Arsenal or United and would be a superb buy at around £10m this summer.