Arsenal join Manchester United in race for Southampton defender Jose Fonte

Arsenal have joined Manchester United in the race to sign Jose Fonte from Southampton as the Gunners looking to sign a defender to compensate for the loss of Per Mertesacker and Gabriel due to injuries. The 32-year-old Euro 2016 winner would add some much needed experience to the backline for both clubs and is thus being scouted for a possible move in the summer.

According to The Mirror, United are willing to trade Fonte for Marcos Rojo as Mourinho looks to shore up his defence to challenge for the title this season. However, Southampton are also hoping to keep Fonte at St Mary's and have offered him a new contract, which will make him the highest paid player at the club.

The Gunners are particularly desperate for a centre-half after they were beaten 4-3 by Liverpool at home on the opening day at the Emirates. The north London club took the lead but failed to hold on as the Merseyside club ran riot in the second half to take a 4-1 lead. However, the Gunners managed a fightback and came perilously close to drawing the game, which ended at 4-3.

The north London club have been heavily linked with a move for Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi, but are yet to agree a fee for the player. Fonte was an unused substitute in Southampton's 1-1 draw against Watford. The defender also started 37 games for the Saints last season where they finished in sixth spot in the league.

Meanwhile, United won their game away at Bournemouth 3-1 with Zlatan Ibrahimovich scoring his debut goal for the Red Devils in the Premiere League. New signing Eric Bailly gave a good account of himself with some brilliant defending at the back, but had Mourinho worried after an injury scare which was later clarified by the manager. United incidentally play Southampton in their first home game under Mourinho at Old Trafford.