I'd take him over Lovren any day of the week. I appreciate Lovrens improved alot but he's not a top notch defender imo. This will be a definite upgrade but not one that is crucial to our success

With Sakho leaving this could easily happen in Jan. I think utd will spend big in Jan which will trigger other teams to do so. Don't think it will be a boring window this time round.

Finally if we want him then please don't pay hardball, get it done quick before utd land Fonte or someone just gazumps us with a ridiculous offer. There's alot of teams now with alot of money

I'm sure it be read or heard on the radio that, in the event of him being sold, the figure of £50M, no less, was mentioned. Bearing in mind the explosion of money on the table what with the new Sky deal coming in, that sum wouldn't be too extravagant.

Will we get him? No chance.

Anyone coming out of the Academy? Another Ben, perhaps?

JimmyTheRed

We'll bid £40m for him.

comment by Zlatan The King Ibrahimovic (U10026)
posted 40 minutes ago
We'll bid £40m for him.
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Bit much for Fonte

No Van Dijk.

United still have to break the world record fee again for a player they got rid of for pocket change. Liverpool will win the race.

Doubt it, I can't see Liverpool making a cb their record transfer.

I didn't see Pogba being a £100m player either - guess football is full of surprises.

Pay what you have to pay for the best players, within reason.

That's the problem, though, in comparison to United Liverpool pay within reason. Which is why they're unlikely to spend the money we can, and would, on said defender.

All hypothetical, of course, as we don't know for sure either side really want him. If they do, though....

Well whose policy is working out better judging on current performance this season? The money Liverpool have spent on players have justified well when you look at their current league position. United's hasn't.

Haven't said otherwise. I thought we were discussing the prospects of signing Van Dijk?

I wouldn't rule out Chelsea and City either, to be honest. Especially if he stays beyond January and continues to perform.

I doubt he'd be Conte's first choice CB right now. Might be for City, but I don't see many clear reasons why he'd choose City or Liverpool at the moment.

Players are signed for 5 years + most the time, judged after 5 weeks.

I think he would. Cahill gets in their defence.

Ever thought he'd look back towards Italy for defenders?

Yeah for sure. Think they're after Rudiger. They've got a bit of a rebuild to do at the back, though, with Terry and Cahill ageing so I wouldn't be surprised if they brought in more than one defender.

I think Fontes organisational skills and reading of the play makes anyone who plays next to him look far better than they are as he regularly covers mistakes made by them.

Shocked no one has picked Jose Fonte up yet, he's a brilliant defender.

Man Utd wanted Fonte didn't they?

Sure I saw them linked after the Euros.

I believe they did, him next to bailly would be very solid.

Fonte is for sure a leader in that Southampton side. Very solid defender. I don't think teams are picking him up because his value isn't worth the long term value they'd get out of him whereas van Djik with a bit of work would.

The fail online are suggesting that City are looking at van Dijk as a possible replacement for Kompany.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3992096/Manchester-City-target-Virgil-van-Dijk-William-Carvalho-Pep-Guardiola-steps-search-Vincent-Kompany-Yaya-Toure-replacements.html

It's likely that all the top clubs will be in for him except probably Arsenal who will be happy with Kos and Mustafi, and Spurs who can't afford him.

He will have his pick which will probably make the mega wage oil clubs the favourites.

Big fan of Van Dijk but he will cost a bomb, probably £35m given his contract length. I expect United will pay it.

I think there is probably better value out there in foreign leagues, just look at how good Matip has been for us.
I'd love Tah, we may be able to attract him with Klopp and CL footy (if we can get it). May be slightly cheaper and has a higher ceiling in my opinion.

The benefit with Van Dijk is that he is proven in the league so is somewhat of a risk though. Doesn't always mean they will replicate that form at another PL club though, and I do think Southampton's style does get the best out of him which he may not get elsewhere.

less of a risk*

Noooooo. Everyone knows Jose Fonte makes other defenders look better than they are. Schneidelin, Lovren, now Van Dyk. It's Fonte, the recent Euro 2016 winner, that's the player but probably too old now.