West Ham have made a move for Southampton captain Jose Fonte, according to a report.
The Mirror claim in their Wednesday edition of their transfer blog (12: 48pm) that Hammers boss Slaven Bilic is keen to strengthen his defence and has targeted the wantaway centre-back.
The 33-year-old has already handed in a transfer request at St Mary’s as he seeks a move away from the south coast.
Saints manager Claude Puel has dropped the Euro 2016 winner from the matchday squad in recent weeks, with the experienced campaigner last featuring on January 2.
It is said that Bilic wants Fonte in this window but Southampton want as much as £12million for his services with Everton another interested party.
Fonte has played 19 Premier League and EFL Cup games for Puel’s side this season, helping his team secure an impressive nine clean sheets during those encounters.
Football Insider verdict:
This is the exact type of signing Slaven Bilic and his team require at this moment in time. They have struggled heavily at the back and need experience in that back line. They may already have experience with the likes of Winston Reid and James Collins, but Fonte is a much better player than those two. Bilic’s side have conceded four goals or more on three occasions on home soil this term, a record you wouldn’t want to have half through a challenging Premier League season. Signing Fonte would ensure that the rest of the campaign finishes with calmness and defensive solidity at the back.
In other West Ham transfer news, this Sky Sports pundit believes the Hammers should sell this senior player as they are a better team without him.
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