Jose Fonte's time at Southampton looks to be coming to an end after the defender reportedly handed in a transfer request at the start of the month.

The Portuguese international has had a long, storied career with Southampton, making the journey from League 1 to the Premier League. This is his eighth season at St. Mary's and if he does leave, it's sure to be an emotional goodbye for all concerned.

That said, clubs must move on and Southampton must look at replacements should their captain find a new club in this month's transfer window.

It's a difficult task, especially mid-season, to find a player with the ability to slot straight into your first team and gel with Virgil van Dijk.

One man Southampton are reported to be considering is Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho. Is he the man capable of replacing Fonte at St Mary's? Would he in fact be an improvement?

Here are THREE reasons why Sakho would be a big upgrade on Jose Fonte...

Physicality

Jose Fonte is actually the same height as Mamadou Sakho but the French defender brings a much more powerful and physical effort to his defensive play.

Sakho can be unbeatable in the air and at set pieces, using his power to muscle opponents away from the ball. Alongside the similarly powerful Virgil van Dijk, you'd imagine that most attacking teams in the Premier League would be fearful of travelling to St. Mary's to face a pairing like that.

The French international would link well with the skillful Van Dijk, also possessing the ability to pass his way out of defence. Southampton need strong cover for the instances when the Dutch defender marauds into the midfield and Sakho would certainly provide that.

The age difference

At 33 years old, Fonte's time at Southampton is likely to be limited even if he doesn't leave in this transfer window. The Premier League is a high-paced affair and when legs are gone, they stay gone.

Despite being almost ever-present in the Saints team this season, Fonte hasn't looked as imperious as other campaigns - a sign perhaps that his best days are behind him.

Mamadou Sakho is just 26 and coming into the prime of his career, with many more years ahead of him at Premier League level. The defender hasn't featured once for Liverpool this season but that's apparently due to his relationship with Jurgen Klopp rather than his ability.

If a club like Southampton can commit to Sakho, they're getting an elite player ready to give the best years of his career. He's the finished article but also has the experience required to perform on a consistent basis and, unlike Fonte, has a long-term future in the division.

Something to prove

As noted, Mamadou Sakho hasn't appeared once for Liverpool this season after being sent home from the club's pre-season tour of America.

That kind of treatment is liable to have lit a fire underneath Sakho and when he does eventually move on from Liverpool, he'll be dying to show what they've been missing - a benefit to any club willing to invest in his future.

He needs first team football to continue to make appearances for France too, currently in danger of dropping out of international contention altogether having only made one appearance for his country in 2016.

It's a key moment in his footballing career and that desire to prove himself would only be a massive positive for the likes of Southampton.