Fonte committed to Saints amid Man Utd interest

Southampton captain José Fonte remains committed to the Saints despite a rumoured bid from Manchester United during the transfer window, according to reports.

The Mirror is reporting that Manchester United failed in an £8 million bid for Southampton’s 32-year-old centre-back José Fonte this summer, but the Portuguese defender has reaffirmed his commitment to the Saints.

Fonte has affirmed that he is focussed on the rest of the season at St. Mary’s, but the former Crystal Palace and Benfica defender did not close the door on a potential future switch to Old Trafford by saying: “Let’s leave that for another time.”

As the transfer deadline drew closer in late August and early September, rumours began to circulate that United manager José Mourinho wanted to add an experienced centre-back to his defensive options, and that the former Chelsea and Real Madrid manager identified his compatriot Fonte as the ideal option.

United reportedly believed that they could acquire Fonte for less than £10 million, but the South Coast club apparently refused to allow their captain to leave s late in the window.

United’s summer signing Eric Bailly will be competing in the African Cup of Nation from mid January to early February next year, so it remains to be seen whether the Red devils go back in for Fonte when the transfer window re-opens in January