Arsenal transfer news: Jose Fonte set for Manchester United as Gunners pursue other options

Closing in: Manchester United are confident they will land Jose Fonte
(Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)
James Olley23 August 2016

Arsenal are unlikely to pursue their interest in Southampton defender Jose Fonte, with the club convinced he is set to join Manchester United.

The Gunners are scouring Europe for a centre-back, having been left short following lengthy injuries to Gabriel and Per Mertesacker.

Manager Arsene Wenger’s search for a defender pre-dates those injuries, however, having begun the summer on the lookout for a defensive upgrade but Arsenal have so far been frustrated in their pursuit of a series of targets.

Shkodran Mustafi remains their preferred target but Valencia continue to play hardball over a possible transfer.

Having indicated they would be willing to do a deal in the region of £30million, Valencia are now understood to have demanded Arsenal meet his £43m buy-out clause, with the club’s coach Pako Ayestaran publicly declaring Mustafi is not for sale after last night’s La Liga defeat to Las Palmas.

Valencia are under pressure to sell in order to meet UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations and Wenger remains hopeful of concluding a deal before the transfer deadline. However, they are continuing to look at fall-back options, with Fonte among them.

The 32-year-old has been offered a new contract by Saints but he is believed to be keen on a move away from the south coast.

Arsenal's central defender transfer shortlist

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Arsenal had expressed an interest but Standard Sport understands the player is set on a move to Old Trafford and although United boss Jose Mourinho has been told he has to sell before he can buy, all parties believe the deal will happen before next Wednesday’s deadline.

The Gunners have been quoted £25m for West Brom defender Jonny Evans with Fenerbahce’s Simon Kjaer and Bayer Leverkusen’s Omer Toprak possible alternatives.

Arsenal’s search for a centre-forward has become equally fraught with Lyon once again insisting that the striker Alexandre Lacazette is not for sale.

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