West Ham are said to be in advanced talks to sign defender Jose Fonte from Southampton, according to Sky Sports.
The Portugal international, who has 18 months remaining on his contract at St Mary’s, expressed his desire to leave Southampton earlier this month. Fonte revealed on social media in December he had not rejected a new deal to stay at Southampton and confirmed he would not be offered fresh terms by the south-coast club.
Southampton boss Claude Puel says Jose Fonte is fielding several “opportunities” to leave Southampton in the January transfer window saying “I think he has some opportunities: he studies these opportunities,” said Puel of Fonte. “And for Southampton it’s the same. We will see if Jose leaves Southampton; we will see over the next few days.”
A move for Fonte could allow James Collins, also 33 to leave the club, possibly to join his former colleague James Tomkins at Crystal Palace with Hammers former boss Sam Allardyce.
Moving Ginge out before the end of the season would be madness. Bringing Fonte in is good and is all about Oxford and Burke stepping up. Makes sense. I’d be inclined to sell Oggie either now or end of season.
Couldn’t agree more. I was hoping it was Oggie out when I started to read this piece. We need the heart and soul of Collins, both on and off the pitch.
Sorry to see Ginge go, especially to CP. He is another who has never let us down. Think it does make sense to go for experience as John points out. But ‘advanced talks’? We hear about plenty of those….will probably end up with Matthew Upson coming back, or John Terry.
Don’t understand this. Fine if we bring in a cb, but don’t see point in selling Collins.
Plus where the hell is our second rb?
In ‘advanced talks’ mate. Don’t worry it is all under control….
Why this fascination with older players like Defoe and Fonte ?We have Ginge so what is the sense? When are the young defenders like Oxford getting game time?Maybe someone can enlighten me??
It aint older players Roman they are called experienced players.Thats why my signing is almost official 😂
Anyway i like Fonte.Collins is a warrior but given the choice of the two Fonte is a no brainer in my opinion.Which always counts for jack shyte😁
Thanks Rads.I will look forward to seeing you playing in the fat frog’s role soon.Your CV must have won Bilic over??lol
Would have fonts but also keep Collins when injuries occur we will be light again with Collins you will get no nonsence and could save us points don’t see the point I like oggy but think his had a bad season but so have many of the other players at least with competition in the team it might make them step up and I think Collins could be in valuable in getting the team to be united again
Ginge might want a move for regular playing time??
Keep ginge he’s a grafter and good for the squad and moral …it’s time to blood in our youngsters like Oxford and Burke…give them the game time …what are we waiting for? They’ll save us a shed load of money and will give us their all, I’m damn sure they won’t let us down…come on slav..do the right thing ..COYI!!!!!
I dont know about the calls for play the youngsters,play the youngsters.The management & staff watch these boys day in day out.I think as professionals they can tell when a lad is ready to step up.
Look at the amount of kids that have been called for before.Most now plying their trade in the lower echelons of the leagues.
Over the last decade we have rarely got it wrong when not playing or releasing youngsters.I can think of very few that have disproved the clubs decision to release or not play them.
Seems an odd move to me, according to other reports Southampton have accepted bids from us and West Brom. Fonte is a good player but aren’t we supposed to be giving players like Oxford a chance ? I wouldn’t get rid of Ginge either, he proved his worth only last weekend and he loves the club, Fonte is just angling for decent wages somewhere else. We know we are not likely to end up in Europe this season so why not get to 40 points and start blooding the kids in games accept the loss of some league money to advance the careers of our talented u23’s ?
Its ok saying keep Collins but none of us know whether he himself might want a move for first team action on a regular basis.We just dont know do we.
Allardyce might have given him a call.
Im a fan of Fonte i think he has done a great job down at Southampton as captain & another plus,he isnt particularly injury prone.
Ogbonna is the one who has to make way.
Laziest defender at club. Look at the improvement when he went off at half time against palace. It’s a no brainer. Would quite happily do a straight swap for fonte. Let Southampton put up with his shambolic defending.
Well maybe the change of formation in the second half might have had something to do with the improved performance.
Oh well i dont see Ogbonna as a shambolic defender.Opinions,Opinions..
Hmmm…..just seen the news that Carl jenks move to palace has stalled…..I’m thinking it could be interesting situation…could solve our rb problem…..
One 33 year-old for another 33 year-old – umm not sure about that!
I like James Collins and I’d be sorry to see him go – he’s brave, wholehearted and a real Team player – ok he’s subject to the odd ricket but I can live with that.
Fonte is undoubtedly a good player but the one thing you can guarantee about 33 year-olds is that they will suffer more than their fair share of injuries!
Finally, I wonder how Oxford and the other young lads feel about Fonte coming in?
Much the same as youngsters at other clubs i should think MM.Improve,learn & make yourself good enough to deserve a place in the team.
I saw someone post earlier that fonte has played about 110 of the last 114 premier leagues matches over the last three full seasons.It seems he is not an injury liability.
I will reserve judgement i think on whether Collins is keen on a move for more first team outings elsewhere.It could well be a possibility.Has BFS tapped him up Lol