Man United target Fonte agrees Saints pay-rise

Matt Stead

Manchester United target Jose Fonte will stay at Southampton after agreeing a pay-rise at St Mary’s.

Jose Mourinho is keen to add an experienced centre-back to his ranks at Old Trafford and had been linked with a move Portugal international Fonte.

However according to the Daily Mirror, Fonte has secured a pay-rise from £45,000-a-week to £70,000-a-week.

Speaking on the future of the 32-year-old, Saints manager Claude Puel said: “The situation of Jose is now finished and he is back to normal.

“Jose is now concentrating just on his football and his team. He had a good discussion with the director of football, with the chairman and now everything is all OK.

“For Jose it was important for us, for me, to keep him in the squad because he is a good personality, a good professional and has good leadership qualities.

“It was important to listen to Jose and understand his position and have time to speak – but now is the time to play and there is no problem with this.”