Manchester United Transfer News: Latest on Jose Fonte, Fresh Rumours

Manchester United reportedly remain keen on signing Southampton centre-back Jose Fonte in the January transfer window.

That’s according to Mike McGrath of the Sun on Sunday, who suggested that although the Red Devils were unable to get a transfer done in the summer, they’ve not been put off in their pursuit of the Saints skipper.

However, it’s stated that if United are to afford the Portugal international, said to be valued at around £10 million, then they will need to trim their squad down first. “Marcos Rojo is most at risk if a buyer can be found for the Argentina international,” added McGrath.

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Although the Red Devils enjoyed a prosperous transfer window overall, manager Jose Mourinho may have been disappointed not to have gotten another experienced centre-back through the door.

Fonte would have been a savvy capture for the Red Devils. The 32-year-old has long been one of the Premier League’s most dependable centre-backs and has proved himself a fine leader for Saints.

Sports journalist Liam Canning was disappointed United missed out on him:

Indeed, while Eric Bailly has settled in well at United, another defender would have allowed Mourinho to feel a lot more confident in his centre-back choices.

Chris Smalling and Daley Blind are both very dependable options to have and each has done well as a partner to Bailly at times this term. But Fonte’s communicative skills, authority in the air and experience would add plenty to this United squad, certainly more than the likes of Rojo and Phil Jones are contributing at this juncture.

Ilkay Gundogan Reveals Red Devils Rejection

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Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has spoken of how he turned down the opportunity to join Manchester United a couple of years ago.

The German playmaker moved to the Etihad Stadium from Borussia Dortmund in the summer transfer window and has impressed for City in his early outings. However, Gundogan has revealed that United sounded out the Bundesliga side about signing him in 2014.

“It was not the biggest lie,” he said when quizzed about links to the Old Trafford club, per Jason Burt of the Daily Telegraph. “Two years ago, three years ago it was not the time. I had a contract at Dortmund and I was not thinking of leaving the club so it was not a discussion.”

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Although he’s suffered with injuries in recent seasons, Gundogan is still rated as one of the best midfield players in European football.

Here is a look back at some of his best moments in a Dortmund jersey:

The midfielder would have made a huge difference to United. Not only does he possess remarkable technical talent and a fine passing range, Gundogan is abuzz with energy in the middle of the park.

As noted by Bundesliga writer Clark Whitney, the main obstacle for the playmaker is his own fitness:

United certainly aren’t short in midfield, especially after signing Paul Pogba for a world-record amount in the summer. However, during a spell when the Red Devils were struggling in this area of the field, Gundogan would have made a big impact.

Now the 25-year-old is donning the sky blue of City, and it’s going to be fascinating to chart his development under Guardiola. Should his Premier League career continue on an upward trajectory, you sense there’ll be a few envious glances Gundogan’s way from across Manchester.