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Southampton: Saints’ former captain Jose Fonte linked with China move

By Chris Hughes

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 27: Jose Fonte of Southampton in action during the Premier League match between Southampton and Everton at St Mary's Stadium on November 27, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 27: Jose Fonte of Southampton in action during the Premier League match between Southampton and Everton at St Mary's Stadium on November 27, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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After a rather unimpressive year in east London, former-Saints captain Jose Fonte is reportedly on his way to Chinese side Dalian Yifang.

When the Portuguese defender left Southampton last January for West Ham, it was seen as a case of burnt bridges with the Hammers being the only real option for the centre-back

Despite their move to the visually-stunning London Stadium, even West Ham supporters will admit that this time last year they weren’t on the same level as the Europe-chasing Everton or even Manchester United who had been linked with the now-34-year-old.

However in somewhat of a fall from grace, Fonte now seems destined for a move to the Chinese Super League, with Dalian Yifang reportedly keen on a 5.5 million euro deal for the defender.

Should he leave and travel east, Fonte would join his former Southampton teammate Graziano Pelle in the CSL, with the Italian currently plying his trade with Shandong Luneng.

Next: Wigan to host Southampton in FA Cup quarter final

LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 28: Jose Fonte of West Ham United arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and West Ham United at Selhurst Park on October 28, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 28: Jose Fonte of West Ham United arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and West Ham United at Selhurst Park on October 28, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images) /

Fonte’s departure from the south coast meant for a bitter end to what was an incredible seven-year journey with the Saints – the defender joined the side whilst they were still in League One and worked his way up to being a fully-fledged Portuguese international by the summer of 2015.

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However it was reportedly his actions after his success at EURO 2016 with Portugal which led to his Southampton downfall – he reportedly hired a new agent and made his intentions to join a team like United clear. When the links never turned into concrete interest, Fonte was apparently stuck in between a rock and a hard place at the Saints.

With that being said, conflicting reports also stated that Fonte was in fact keen to stay, but it was Southampton who didn’t offer him a valuable enough contract due to his age. Whatever happened, he alienated a lot of fanbase with his ‘sideways switch’ to West Ham last January.

However he has failed to hit the same heights as he did with Southampton, having lost a step or two and being unreliable at the back. It marks a sad end for Fonte’s otherwise successful life in the Premier League.

But China will offer the 34-year-old a fresh challenge after over a decade on English soil – Dalian have only recently been promoted to the CSL and will therefore being scrapping for league survival this campaign.

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