ESPN have gone big with a rumour that Crystal Palace are going to try and lure José Fonte back to Selhurst Park some 5 1/2 years since he left for St Mary's

ESPN are quoting that their sources are reporting that Palace are about to launch an audacious bid to bring former player José Fonte back to the club.

Eager to find a stronger centre-back partner for Scott Dann, who’s just signed a new long-term deal at the club, Alan Pardew wants the Portuguese defender to add some strength to the back-four.

However this would seem to be a story based more on putting two and two together and making five rather than based on much substance.

Firstly Fonte himself has been speaking about how happy he is at Saints and how much he is looking forward to the coming season including the Europa League campaign and to be blunt would a player about to turn 32 want to throw away the chance of a season with so much promise.

It all seems to be built on ex Saints boss Pardew publicly looking to strengthen his central defence and a lazy journalist remembering that it was Pardew who signed Fonte for Saints back in 2010 so would surely be interested in signing him again.

As mentioned though, the article fails to rely on the facts behind the situation just on tenuous links.

Photo: Action Images

derbydog added 00:25 - Jul 29 Rumours at the time he left St Mary's suggest Alan Pardew would be the last manager Jose would sign for...
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PhantomTippler added 07:19 - Jul 29 Wouldn't be the first time a reigning player of the season will have stabbed Southampton FC in the back. Chris Baird, Liarllana, I'm looking at you. Hopefully a Portuguese man is more honourable than his English/N Irish counterparts.
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WestSussexSaint added 07:43 - Jul 29 Clearly the media are getting a bit desperate for stories to stir up against Saints. Facts Fonte is team captain which he thrives as. He has just had his best season as a Saints player He has been with the club 6 years now. Long in terms of the modern footballer and double that He is about to play European football He only signed a new contract at the start of last season He wouldn't be a cheap option for CP and they have balked at other options on price. He is playing under a master of a defensive coach who he is learning a lot from. Pardew isn't on his Christmas card list. So apart from the fact Palace need defenders and he used to play for them there is nothing to suggest a move nor that he wants one. On that basis expect to see a story about us signing Claus Lundekvam next, or Callum Chambers (oh wait.......)

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A1079 added 08:14 - Jul 29 I think this is nothing more than some trumped up media story without any foundation. Though, I guess in football, nothing should surprise us if it did happen. I am more concerned by our apparent inability to find a good CB to partner Fonte. Now that may concern Fonte and he may feel too much reliance is being placed on him. He has lost Lovren and then Alderweireld and he may start thinking, the club is expecting him to carry the back line too much and that is a lot to ask for a season. To be honest, we messed up on the Alderweireld issue and we didn't appear to have a plan B (other than may be Florin).

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LesVivian added 08:25 - Jul 29 Spotted Fonte's car at a swanky, newly-built home in Chilworth yesterday - If he has bought it, I don't expect he'll want to sell it straight away!
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derbydog added 09:48 - Jul 29 The Plan B would appear to be Virgil Van Dyke when Celtic are knocked out of Europe, which could be as early as next week. That gives us another CB in time for the start of the PL season. This was the plan with Forster last season if you recall.
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IWOZTHERE added 12:39 - Jul 29 What a load of 'bollards!' Somehow I don't think they are 'best mates'. Anyway, tell us about INCOMING. My OCD (obsessive centreback disorder) is getting worse and the longer we delay the more likely it is that we lose our main target(s). The Van Dijk saga obviously has some basis, possibly even a pre -contract agreement, but I doubt it's binding (Does this sound familiar?). While we wait, other options are being snapped up. Come on Ron/Les, don't try to be too cute again. Make Celtic an offer they can't refuse and get him NOW !

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legod7 added 13:10 - Jul 29 I always thought Pardew was sacked because of an unhealthy interest in Jose's wife
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