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According to Sky Sources this morning, West Ham United are in advanced talks to sign José Fonte from Southampton. The Portuguese international, who has 18 months remaining on his current deal at St Mary's reiterated his desire to leave the club in January, after handing in a transfer request.
West Ham boss Slaven Bilić denied rumours that the player was involved in a medical today, however he did once more seem adamant on the club bringing in new players.
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"(Fonte is) not having a medical today. We are not talking about transfers, we are working on some though.
"There are one or two players we need, it won't be easy, but we are trying. Hopefully (we) have something to announce in 24 hours."
It's not a secret that West Ham have continued to struggle with their defence so far this season, with no viable right-back available to Slaven Bilić for one reason or another, it's surprising to hear the first name out of the hat is that of another centre-back.
Admittedly, Winston Reid has returned to his usual immaculate form of late, making the potential partnership with the experienced Fonte, a mouth-watering prospect.
However at 33-years-old, does it really make sense to be purchasing a player with only a few years remaining at the top, for such a hefty price tag? I can't help but feel we could have avoided this issue all together, by keeping James Tomkins at the club last summer.
This could however spell the end for West Ham's other centre-back pairing, with Angelo Ogbonna not re-capturing last season's form and James Collins coming toward the latter stages of his career, Fonte looks set to be the ideal replacement, for now.
It will leave a lot of fans questioning, when the time of perennial superstar Reece Oxford will come.
What are your thoughts on the potential signing of José Fonte? Let us know down below.