On Tuesday it was all over the internet that Arsenal, along with Manchester United, were interested in signing Jose Fonte from Southampton.
Having witnessed a ton of former Southampton men tear it up at the Emirates on Sunday, Fonte’s agent has clearly thought this might be a good time to cash in by either forcing a move or getting a new contract at St Mary’s.
Fonte’s agent is Jorge Mendes, and it’s well known that Wenger isn’t a fan of the super-agent. That being said, he did sign Donyell Malen who is managed by Mino Raiola, so if he has a rule about them, it is not hard and fast as some have been suggesting.
Fonte is believed to be happy at Southampton, if not feeling slightly big-headed after a successful Euro campaign with Portugal. Of course, anyone who watched the games and didn’t just look at the outright winner would know that nobody at Portugal really has much to sing about regarding their on-pitch performances, but a win is a win is a win.
Southampton, like Arsenal, prefer to do their business in private and I’m sure that’s the same for United as well. The likelihood is this is all the work of his agent behind the scenes trying to ensure his client gets a bumper new deal where he is.
His current market value is closing in on five times what Southampton paid for him and is at it’s highest point in the defender’s career. 32 now, and with two years left on his contract, he will never have a stronger negotiating position than the one he has now.
I doubt very much any of those negotiations will be taking place with Arsenal.