Manchester United Transfer News: Jose Fonte, Marcos Rojo Swap Rumours Emerge

Manchester United are reportedly prepared to use Marcos Rojo as a makeweight in a potential deal for Southampton defender Jose Fonte. 

According to an exclusive from the Sun's Alex Crook, Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho has been told he must move players on before any new arrivals can come in—using the Argentinian in the deal will kill two birds with one stone—and the club hope to tempt Fonte despite the offer of a lucrative new deal from the Saints.

Crook added that Arsenal are also interested in the Portuguese centre-back as they desperately seek reinforcements.

United have already recruited Eric Bailly this summer, but with the Ivorian likely to miss part of the season while on Africa Cup of Nations duty, there's still room for further cover.

While Fonte will turn 33 in December, he could be a useful signing as a fairly short-term option. The centre-back has proved himself a reliable defender during his time on the south coast—far more than Rojo has at United.

According to Crook, Fonte is represented by Jorge Mendes, who is also Mourinho's agent. It would also seem he's receptive to United's interest, per Sky Sports' Kaveh Solhekol:

Per WhoScored.com, Fonte reads the game well:

Here's a look at some of his numbers from last season, courtesy of Squawka:

	Fonte
Apps	37
Tackles	34
Aerial Duels	90
Interceptions	82
Blocks	32
Clearances	234
Passing Accuracy	84%

Meanwhile, Rojo has struggled to nail down a starting berth at Old Trafford as he's struggled for form and fitness during his time at United. There have also been reports that could call into question the 26-year-old's professionalism, per Metro's Mark Brus.

Football writer Nooruddean Choudry believes attempting to swap Rojo for Fonte would be an audacious move given their respective contributions in recent years:

However, what could work in United's favour is Southampton's history of interest in Rojo, per Metro's Chris Winterburn:

His underwhelming two years at Old Trafford may have seen that interest wane, and a new manager is now in charge of the Saints in the form of Claude Puel, but if the club remain admirers of Rojo there's potential for a deal to be done.

Fonte is an important figure for Southampton, but with Rojo holding a significant age advantage it may tempt them into doing business.