Jose Fonte was reluctant to comment on his future at Southampton when quizzed by the Portuguese press.
The 32-year-old summer was mixed, with success on the field with the national team at Euro 2016 a vast contrast to the uncertainty surrounding his future at club level.
As revealed by Standard Sport, Arsenal were monitoring the defender’s situation as Arsene Wenger looked to bolster his defensive options with added experience, particularly following the news that Per Mertesacker would be sidelined until the new year with an ankle injury.
But it would be Manchester United who made the strongest push for the defender, with Arsenal looking elsewhere in the belief that Fonte was set on a move to Old Trafford.
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Asked how he felt to remain a Southampton player, and in particular missing out on a move to Old Trafford, Fonte said: “Was I disappointed the Man United move didn’t happen? Let’s leave that for another time. Now I’m focused on Southampton.
“I have lots of targets: to play in the Champions League, to play in a World Cup, to win a trophy in England.”
