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Fan Reaction to West Ham’s reported £8m Jose Fonte signing

As the Southampton legend puts in his quitting papers, fans on both sides of the aisle have their say.

AFC Bournemouth v Southampton - Premier League Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images

After seven years of commanding the Southampton defensive line, José Miguel da Rocha Fonte has requested to be transferred out. It seems dubious he put in that transfer with West Ham United in mind as rumors were whirling about Manchester United and Liverpool inquiring for the 33 year old.

Many Southampton fans, albeit a bit salty, are saying this is a lateral move, or even a step down for someone who just won the European Championship with Portugal. Perhaps West Ham United isn’t where Fonte thought he’d end up, but it is where he’s going. At 33, he has little to prove. He came to Southampton when they were still in League One, third tier football, fighting for the next level. Once promoted, the captain then led his team, decimating opposition, in one of the toughest and grittiest fixtures in the world, the English Championship.

In 2012, he captained the side that broke through into the Premier League and they haven’t looked back since. In fact, Southampton has become a beacon of hope for many clubs in the lower tiers of English football. Their academy and youth systems are a marker many are trying to replicate, few with success.

Make no mistake, José Fonte is a Southampton legend, and his abrupt departure is as heart crushing to their fans, as it is surprising.

We took to Twitter to see some of those options from both Southampton and West Ham fans. East London supporters are clearly excited, Saints are utterly baffled.