Five More Defenders Linked With Anfield Summer Switch

Jose Fonte (Southampton)

Now onto the centre-backs, and a club which has already seen a number of players move in the direction of Liverpool is now being subject to further speculation that a few more could make the same trip.

One of those players linked is Southampton skipper Jose Fonte. After Dejan Lovren’s departure, Fonte was the one who stepped up a level and assumed further responsibility in the Croat’s absence, having formed a successful partnership with Lovren in 2013/14.

Not only did Southampton’s defence survive, but thanks to Ryan Bertrand, Nathaniel Clyne, Toby Alderweireld and crucially Fonte the Saints were second only to Chelsea for the best defence in the Premier League this season.

Fonte could reinvigorate Lovren at Anfield, but Southampton, as with all their top players, will not let the Portuguese international leave on the cheap, with probably £15m needed to prise him away.

Given that he turns 32 in December (and that if Liverpool are to pinch more players off Southampton Fonte would not be first choice), there are better targets elsewhere for the Reds.