Man United transfer news: Jose Fonte set to reject Old Trafford move and sign bumper new deal at Southampton
The Portugal Euro 2016 hero is wanted by Jose Mourinho but has decided to snub him after crisis talks with club chiefs
JOSE FONTE has rejected Jose Mourinho’s advances after holding crisis talks with Southampton bigwigs.
Manchester United boss Mourinho had targeted Euro champ Fonte, 32, to shore up his defence — and was lining up an £12million move for the centre-half.
But Saints director of football Les Reed and chairman Ralph Krueger have convinced the Portuguese defender to stay at St Mary’s.
Saints have also offered Fonte a bumper £70,000-a-week contract to boost his current deal, which still has two years to run.
Boss Claude Puel said: “The situation of Jose is now finished and he is back to normal.
“He had a good discussion with the director of football, with the chairman and now everything is all OK.
“It’s important to keep Jose. It’s normal at the start of the pre-season or after the Euros to have different thoughts but now all is OK.
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“It was important to listen to Jose and understand his position and have time to speak but now is the time to play and there is no problem with this.”
Saints are expected to agree personal terms with former Chelsea and Tottenham target Sofiane Boufal today, after Lille accepted a £15m, rising to £21m, transfer.
But Boufal’s entrance will see striker Jay Rodriguez move to West Brom on loan.
Rodriguez has barely played since making his England debut in November 2013, due to a cruciate then foot injury.
Puel said: “The question with Jay is to know if it will be better to play with regularity in a team or, for example, stay with us sometimes to play.
“He has been injured for two years and it’s difficult to come back.
“He needs games and it will be interesting to see if he stays with us or perhaps goes on a loan with another club.”