Scouting Arsenal Transfer Target Jose Fonte

Arsenal’s search for a new centre-half has now taken on the utmost urgency. Having lost Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista to long-term injuries, manager Arsene Wenger is being forced to field the callow pair of Calum Chambers and Rob Holding at the heart of his defence.

Although the Gunners boss will soon be able to call upon Laurent Koscielny, he is still lacking someone experienced enough to help the Frenchman marshal the back four. It should therefore be no surprise that he is considering a move for Southampton’s Jose Fonte.

Arsenal have been extensively linked with a bid for Germany international Shkodran Mustafi. However, that deal appears to have been held up. What’s more, Spanish radio station Deportes SER Valencia (h/t Uche Amako of the Daily Express) are reporting that the Gunners now face competition from Liverpool for the 24-year-old’s signature.

With little progress being made, Wenger is now looking for alternatives—and Andy Mitten of ESPN FC claims that Fonte is one of the targets:

Southampton centre-back Jose Fonte is keen to join Manchester United but he has also received an approach from Arsenal, sources have told ESPN FC. 

Jose Mourinho is seeking an experienced defensive leader and club sources told ESPN FC in recent days that United had opened informal talks over 32-year-old Fonte, who could play for Southampton at Old Trafford on Friday night. 

Fonte, who would command a fee of around £10m, would be a cheaper option and one who has been consistent in the Premier League.

Fonte would certainly be a cheaper option than Mustafi. Deportes SER Valencia (h/t the Express) suggest the Spanish side want £26 million for their man, while the Saints star’s touted fee is less than half that amount.

We know Wenger loves a bargain; earlier this summer, he pursued Jamie Vardy, presumably partly because his release clause made him a relative snip at £20 million. If the Arsenal boss wants to save money in his budget for a potential attacking addition, it would make sense to chase a defender in Fonte’s price bracket.

The reason he’s cheap is straightforward: it’s his age. Although he still has two years remaining on his contract with Southampton, he would go down as one of Wenger’s oldest outfield signings. He’s 32 now—he will turn 33 before the year is out. That makes him a year older than the Mertesacker, the man he’s …

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