Fonte future: Five Premier League destinations for wantaway Saints skipper

United are on a 15-match unbeaten run across all competitions and have won their last three to nil, so that suggests this mooted move is not made of necessity like apparent Palace interest.

Permanent departures are anticipated at Old Trafford this window, but not necessarily in defence. The betting suggests Fonte could be squeezed in at Man Utd, though, as he’s 11/4 to join them.

West Ham United

The Hammers are short on fit defenders like Palace, but Slaven Bilic has somehow steered them away from immediate danger despite further injuries in attack.

It’s odd to see a promising West Ham team from last term struggling so much following a switch to the Olympic Stadium used for London 2012.

Fonte, 4/1 to make the Hammers his next club, would be a safe pair of hands for Bilic beside Winston Reid in the heart of defence.

Liverpool

Southampton have sold plenty of their top talents to the red half of Merseyside in recent years; just ask Sadio Mane or Fonte’s erstwhile defensive partner Dejan Lovren.

While Liverpool are impressive in attack, the rearguard looks like it could be improved and poaching the Portugal centre back could pay dividends for Jurgen Klopp.

At odds of 9/1 to move to Anfield, Fonte could easily reprise his partnership with Croatia international Lovren. His Saints friends in the Reds squad mean he’ll never walk alone.

Everton

Could former Southampton boss Ronald Koeman come in for Fonte? He’s also linked with current Saints centre back partner Virgil van Dijk.

Despite the summer capture of Swansea City and Wales skipper Ashley Williams, the Toffees have been lacklustre defensively at times.

It’s a 12/1 long shot that Fonte goes to Goodison Park, but don’t underestimate the Koeman connection.

Bonus destination: Benfica

Although he was on Benfica’s books between 2006 and 2008, Fonte never featured for the Lisbon giants in a competitive game.

You might say he has unfinished business at the Stadium of Light, then. No, not that one, but the Portuguese one.

At 5/1 to go back to Benfica, Fonte may fancy one more crack at football with a top team and reigning domestic champion in his homeland.

Related

Check out more features like this on our Premier League page.