Manchester United and Arsenal are rumored to be in a race to sign Southampton defender Jose Fonte as the summer transfer window slowly winds down to its final few days of business.
Fonte was one of the key players for the Portuguese national team's recent Euro 2016 championship performance and Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger were said to be impressed by what they saw from the 32-year-old center back during the said tournament.
Caught Offside reported that new Red Devils manager Mourinho is said to be keen on acquiring his countryman to have "additional options in defense" and that he wants someone with a lot of "experience" for his young backfield composed of new signing Eric Bailly, Daley Blind, Luke Shaw, and Chris Smalling.
It was even mentioned that the Special One is willing to include Argentine defender Marcos Rojo plus cash just to make sure that the club's bid for Fonte will be approved.
Meanwhile, Sun Sport indicated that Arsenal is also interested in acquiring Fonte's services as head coach Arsene Wenger is currently short on center backs with injuries to starters Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista while Frenchman Laurent Koscielny is still not 100 percent fit from his exploits during the 2016 Euros.
With Mourinho directed by United's top officials to sell first before buying again this summer, Wenger is said to be in prime position to surpass their Old Trafford rivals for Fonte.
The Red Devils have just pulled off the current world transfer record-breaking £89.3 million signing of top-notch midfielder Paul Pogba from Juventus earlier this month, which could be the reason why the club is not keen on buying any more as the window closes at the end of the month.
Meanwhile, the Saints' new head coach Claude Puel is said to be adamant that Fonte will stay at his side this season. The report mentioned that the center back "would not be allowed to leave this summer" as he is a major part of Puel's plans at the St. Mary's Stadium this term.
Rumors are out that the former Nice manager is frustrated about his veteran defender being linked to the much bigger clubs.
Fonte and United boss Mourinho shares the same agent, Jorge Mendes.