SAINTS could be closing in on Crystal Palace defender Jose Fonte.
A report last night suggested Alan Pardew was close to signing the 26 year-old Portuguese centre-half for around £1.2m, providing he completes a St Mary’s medical today.
However, earlier in the day a South London media oganisation claimed the player’s wages would prove to be a stumbling block for Saints.
Pardew has been looking to fill the void left by Neal Trotman, who returned to his parent club Preston at the end of his loan spell last week.
The highly-rated Fonte has also been linked to Sheffield United, but the Blades now look set to keep hold of centre half Matthew Kilgallon.
Fonte initially joined Palace, who are desperate for cash injections, in August 2007 on loan from Benfica.
The move became permanent the following summer and Fonte has become a regular fixture in the Palace side since then.
He has made over 80 appearances in total for the south London club.
Saints have also been linked with a transfer window move for Fonte’s Eagles team-mate Neil Danns.
Share