Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Jose Fonte and Oguzhan Ozyakup Rumours

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho's preparations for the upcoming Premier League season have hit a bump after Everton entered the race to sign United transfer target Jose Fonte from Southampton, per Duncan Castles, writing for the Daily Record.

The centre-back has attracted attention from around Europe after helping Portugal to the UEFA Euro 2016 title in France this summer.

According to Castles, Everton have made a £9 million bid for the experienced central defender, with new manager Ronald Koeman—formerly of Southampton—eager to use his connection with the south-coast club in order to pursue any transfer.

Thanassis Stavrakis/Associated Press

The Toffees have reportedly begun their search for a replacement for England international John Stones, with the 22-year-old linked with a £50 million switch to manager Pep Guardiola's Manchester City by Chris Wheeler of the Daily Mail (h/t Toby Gannon of the Sun).

Sky Sports News' chief news reporter, Kaveh Solhekol, noted the reports of United's interest in Fonte:

However, Everton's offer is bad news for Mourinho, with the United hierarchy reportedly telling him he must sell unwanted players from his squad before delving back into the transfer market. According to Castles, Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind have been put up for sale, with the club also willing to listen to offers for full-back Matteo Darmian.

Frank Augstein/Associated Press

Fonte, 32, has become a key member of the Southampton squad during his six-and-a-half-year stay at St Mary's Stadium, helping the Saints rise from the third tier of English football before establishing themselves as European contenders.

According to BBC Radio Solent Sport, Fonte has been offered an improved contract in order to keep him at the club:

Meanwhile, sports journalist Liam Canning believes Mourinho should opt for a player with proven experience in English football:

The towering defender's impressive performances have been noted in his homeland, as Portugal offered him his senior debut in 2014 at the age of 30. The former Crystal Palace player has gone on to win 14 caps under manager Fernando Santos. 

Other than Everton's proposed bid to lure the centre-back to Goodison Park, clubs in Russia, Spain and Turkey are also watching the defender, according to Castles. It's reported Southampton are hesitant to do business with the Blues, however, as the southerners are unwilling to sell to a manager who deserted the club in June.

Elsewhere, Mourinho has asked West Ham United boss Slaven Bilic for his opinion on Besiktas midfielder Oguzhan Ozyakup ahead of a proposed €20 million (£16.9 million) offer, per Lig TV (h/t Oliver Platt of Goal).

Thanassis Stavrakis/Associated Press

Bilic coached Turkey international Ozyakup during his time as manager of the Istanbul-based club and reportedly spoke positively on the 23-year-old playmaker's attributes. 

WhoScored.com noted the statistics that make the player such a promising talent:

Ozyakup is a former Arsenal youth-team player. He joined the north Londoners' academy in 2008, and the club sold him to the Turkish outfit in 2012 for €500,000, per Arthur Virgo of Goal. The ex-Gunner featured during Turkey's Euro 2016 campaign. At club level, he netted nine goals in 31 league appearances to help Besiktas win the Super Lig last season, per WhoScored.com.