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Southampton defender Jose Fonte targeted by Crystal Palace - sources
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Crystal Palace are considering a move for Southampton defender Jose Fonte as they look to bring in a centre-back this summer, sources have told ESPN FC.
Palace boss Alan Pardew has made a new central defender one of his top priorities this summer as he looks to find a partner for Scott Dann.
Palace have been frustrated in their attempts to sign Swansea and Wales captain Ashley Williams with Swansea pricing them out of a move for the defender as they are determined to keep the highly rated stopper at the Liberty Stadium.
The Eagles have also been credited with an interest in Hull City’s James Chester, but they are unlikely to match West Brom’s and Leicester’s £8 million bids for the Wales international.
It means Palace have switched their attentions to Fonte as they look to lure the Portuguese back to Selhurst Park.
Fonte enjoyed three years at Palace between 2007-2010 after initially joining on loan from Benfica before making the move permanent at the end of his loan stay.
The 31-year-old established himself as a big fans’ favourite at Palace making over 90 appearances for the club before joining Southampton in 2010.
It was Pardew who signed Fonte for Southampton and the defender played a key role in helping Southampton climb from League One to an established Premier League side during his five years at the club.
Fonte took over the Southampton captaincy last season and impressed during the 2014-15 campaign.
Saints have a central defensive crisis on their hands after Toby Alderweireld snubbed them for Tottenham and Romania international Florin Gardos was ruled out for seven months with a knee problem.
Fonte, 31, was made Saints captain last summer after Adam Lallana left for Liverpool, but could now join the midfielder in making the move to Merseyside.
The Portuguese centre-back is contracted until 2017 on the south coast but would be available for the right price this summer, and the Reds are one of a handful of clubs considering him in their search for an experienced defender.
Liverpool are losing Kolo Toure this summer and are yet to tie down Martin Skrtel to a new deal, while Brendan Rodgers has been forced to play Emre Can out of position for much of the season and the Northern Irishman is keen to add to his options at the back.
Fonte, who started his career with Benfica, joined Southampton from Crystal Palace for £800,000 in January 2010 and has since made 182 appearances for the club and scored 13 goals.