Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has reportedly been told that he must offload players before being given the green light to sign top defensive target Jose Fonte.
The Portuguese centre-back was said to be close to joining the Red Devils from Southampton in the summer, only for a deal to fall through prior to transfer deadline day.
United will need to splash out around £10m to bring Fonte to Old Trafford when the window reopens in three months' time but, according to The Sun, Mourinho must first trim one or two defenders from his squad to make room.
Fonte, who is closing in on 300 appearances for Southampton, admitted earlier this week that he is 'still waiting' for the Saints to offer him a new contract on the south coast.
