Liverpool transfer rumours: Reds make shock move for Southampton defender Jose Fonte

Liverpool are considering a shock summer move in signing Southampton defender Jose Fonte, according to the Mirror.

The Saints are looking to revamp the squad as their manager Ronald Koeman is looking to bolster his side for the next season. The centre-back's contract at St Mary's Stadium runs down in 2017 and Southampton could allow him to leave, if the right offer is made for his services.

The Merseyside club already signed Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert and Dejan Lovren from the South Coast club last summer. Brendan Rodgers has now set his sights on making an approach for the 31-year-old Portuguese international.

Liverpool have Kolo Toure, Lovren, Martin Skrtel, Mamadou Sakho as the first choice centre-backs in the squad, while the Northern Irishman has used Emre Can in the defensive position.

Toure's contract at Anfield will run down at the end of the season and the former Arsenal and Manchester City defender will be allowed to leave the club on a free transfer. Rodgers is hoping that Fonte can replace the Ivory Coast centre-back at Liverpool.

The Southampton captain's experience could help Liverpool's defence for the next campaign and also could bring the best out of Lovren, who has struggled in his debut season. His potential arrival could then see Can move in his preferred midfield position.

The same report also claimed that the Reds' arch-rivals Manchester United are also monitoring Fonte's situation at Southampton. However, Louis van Gaal's priority is to sign Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels in the summer transfer window.

In addition to this, Fonte's former club Benfica are also reportedly interested in signing him. The Portuguese outfit could challenge Liverpool in signing the centre-back.

Meanwhile, the player has publicly expressed his desire to play in the Major League Soccer (MLS) in the future as well.

"I would absolutely love to go to America. I love America. I would like to play in MLS," Fonte explained.

"I now follow the MLS because of the Chicago Fire and it is something that my family and I would love to do, to play a few years in America and experience that. It would be amazing. New York, LA, Chicago ... Whatever, it would be good," he added.