' Third bid for Fonte? '

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Friday 25th July 2014.

Cardiff City have had a second bid turned down by Southampton for number one defensive target Jose Fonte.

Saints boss Ronald Koeman insists the improved £3.25m offer from the Bluebirds is not enough with the 30-year-old rated at nearer £5m at St Mary’s.

It is believed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will now return with an improved offer for the Portuguese centre-half who has turned down a new two-year contract at Southampton.

As Solskjaer and his men return from their pre-season training camp in Austria, the Norwegian is keen to bring in a new centre-half after skipper Steven Caulker joined QPR.

Solskjaer has already admitted defensive frailties cost his side their place in the Premier League last season and is determined not to make the same mistakes as the Bluebirds look to bounce straight back out of the Championship this campaign.

Fonte, who was previously at Crystal Palace and who has made 182 appearances for Southampton, is seen as a key element in strengthening the Bluebirds back-line ahead of the forthcoming campaign.

But if their attempts to get Fonte prove unsuccessful, Cardiff are also keeping tabs on Manchester United youngster Michael Keane. Solskjaer managed the 21-year-old centre-half during his days in charge of the Manchester United reserves.

Keane spent last season on loan at Derby and Blackburn Rovers. He has plenty of Championship experience having been on loan at Leicester too.

The Bluebirds would hope to bring Keane in on a season-long loan to the Welsh capital if new United boss Louis van Gaal gives the deal the green light.

I would offer 4.25m next

I would offer 4.25m next

Do you have the money ?

I would offer 4.25m next

Reckon £3.75M is close

Just offer £4m with an extra £1m if we get promoted

Well Soton just had a bid of £7.5m accepted for the Celtic CB, Virgil van Dijk. So that might make things easier . They have also bid for Villa's Ron Vlar.

As much as I don't want City more in debt, I've been told a 3rd will be offered by City .

Well Soton just had a bid of £7.5m accepted for the Celtic CB, Virgil van Dijk. So that might make things easier . They have also bid for Villa's Ron Vlar.

I've seen that Virgil van dyke play a few times up here. Does look like a very good player, young as well. Have a feeling our bid to sign Fonte could hinge on this. Really hope it plays out in our favour as Fonte could be the missing piece in our otherwise complete puzzle!

£5m is a good price for Fonte! still got a £2/3m profit from Caulker then if we use that money to fund it!

As much as I don't want City more in debt, I've been told a 3rd will be offered by City .

Debt means nothing at this stage Annis. We may as well go all out for it. I'd pay £5m for Fonte. Could easily be the difference between promotion or not.

As much as I don't want City more in debt, I've been told a 3rd will be offered by City .

Debt means nothing at this stage Annis. We may as well go all out for it. I'd pay £5m for Fonte. Could easily be the difference between promotion or not.

Blackburn spent 8m on Rhodes when they got relegated so let's go all for it with Fonte. CB's have a long value on them and the age Fonte is at is, he will be playing at his peak.

He's 30 years old, out of contract at the end of this coming season, great defender but £3.5 million should be our limit if that's not enough, then walk away.

£5m is a good price for Fonte! still got a £2/3m profit from Caulker then if we use that money to fund it!

Profit from Caulker? We surely made a loss?

£8m sold and we bought him for £8m not to mention signing on and agents fees.

Going to be interesting.

Was talking to Ken Foo today and he told me we have made a small profit on Caulker, and that we were also talking to Man U and Southampton about a centre back.