Crystal Palace interested in re-signing Southampton captain

Crystal Palace are ready to rival Everton for Southampton captain Jose Fonte this month, reports The Daily Mail.

Fonte, 33, has handed in a transfer request at Southampton and won’t be considered for selection by Claude Puel until his future is resolved.

The Portugal international had been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United in the summer but Jose Mourinho’s side are no longer interested in the Southampton skipper.

Former Southampton manager Ronald Koeman is reportedly interested in the idea of reuniting with Fonte at Goodison Park this month but he can expect stiff competition from Palace, with Sam Allardyce keen to bolster the Eagles’ squad this month.

Fonte spent three years at Palace before moving to Southampton in 2010 but it remains to be seen whether he would trade in life at Saint Mary’s for a relegation battle when he has aspirations of playing further up the table than his current club.

Nevertheless, the veteran would be an excellent capture for Palace, who are currently only one-point above the bottom three.

In the last five Premier League campaigns only three players have made more clearances than Fonte (1058).

For more stats on Jose Fonte, click here to visit his WhoScored player page