Manchester United are preparing for a £30 million battle with Chelsea over Luke Shaw after identifying the Southampton full-back as a priority summer target.
Having thwarted Chelsea’s attempts to lure Wayne Rooney from Old Trafford by moving towards a long-term contract for the England forward, United believe they have engineered another triumph over the Stamford Bridge club by completing a £37.1 million move for Spanish midfielder Juan Mata.
The contract breakthrough with Rooney, revealed by Telegraph Sport on Saturday, could result in the 28-year-old signing a £300,000-a-week deal in the coming days.
But with Mata signed and Rooney close to agreeing terms, United manager David Moyes has now charged executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward with completing a deal for Shaw at the end of the season – despite Chelsea appearing to lead the way in pursuit of the left-back because of his boyhood support of the London club.
United have explored the possibility of a move for the 18-year-old this month after ending interest in Everton’s Leighton Baines, but Southampton’s resistance to a sale has forced the champions to delay formal efforts until the summer.
Written by Steve Milne
