West Ham close to Premier League signing- report

West Ham vs Manchester City
Wikimedia: Oxyman

West Ham are reportedly in advanced talks to sign Southampton skipper Jose Fonte. Sky Sports claim that the Hammers are hopeful of securing a deal for the 33-year-old, who has 18 months left on his current deal with the Saints.

Fonte, earlier this month, handed in a transfer request at the South Coast after it became clear that he won’t be offered a new deal by his current club.

Back in December, the Portugal international revealed on social media that the reports claiming that he had rejected a new deal from the Saints were false, and, confirmed that he would not be offered a new deal by the club.

Fonte signed for the Saints from Crystal Palace in 2010, and, since then, he has made 286 appearances for them. He was also an integral part of the Portugal side which won the Euro Championships in the summer.

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic currently have Winston Reid, James Collins and Angelo Ogbonna as his only recognised centre-back options, and Fonte could prove to be a valuable addition to his squad.