Manchester United target Jose Fonte has hit out at Southampton’s failure to offer him a contract extension.
Speaking to The Mirror the defender reveals that he was offered a pay rise following Portugal’s success at Euro 16 but that the his contract wouldn’t be extended beyond 2018.
Alongside Virgil van Dijk Fonte has been a major influence on Southampton’s success story forming a great defensive barrier in front of Fraser Forster.
With van Dijk attracting attention from almost all of the top clubs interest has also turned to his defensive partner even though Fonte will turn 33 later this month.
Following an outstanding club season and success internationally the defender expected to be offered a contract extension but that failed to materialise.
“There’s no contract on the table,” the Mirror reports. “There was in the summer, they offered me a pay rise. They didn’t offer me a new contract.
“They offered me a pay rise, which I’m entitled to discuss with my agent and entitled to say no to as well. I’m entitled to have my own opinion, so apart from that, that’s it.”
As well as the failure to extend his contract beyond 2018 Fonte is also unhappy at being left out of Saints Europa League squad, insisting that he is fit enough to play Thursday and Sundays.
Former boss Ronald Koeman is believed to be keen to take Fonte to Everton but if Manchester United were to follow up their interest with an offer Saints would find it difficult to turn down an offer for a 33-year-old with 18 months left on his contract.