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Southampton: Opinion – Saints can’t pass by opportunity to re-sign Shaw

By Chris Hughes

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Luke Shaw of Southampton is closed down by Antolín Alcaraz and James McCarthy of Everton during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Everton at St Mary's Stadium on April 26, 2014 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Luke Shaw of Southampton is closed down by Antolín Alcaraz and James McCarthy of Everton during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Everton at St Mary's Stadium on April 26, 2014 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /
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Over the past week rumours have surfaced to suggest that once again Luke Shaw could be on his way out of Manchester United this summer.

At the end of the day, the 32-year-old winger Ashley Young is above Shaw in the pecking order at Old Trafford, meaning it may be time for the youngster to look for pasture’s new. Whilst Young deserves credit for his transformation into a first-choice full-back it does look bad on Shaw – once considered the future England left-back.

The 22-year-old still has time to fulfill the potential he showed as a teenager at Southampton, but most football supporters are in agreement that the best way to do this is to look for a new club.

Tottenham’s current situation with Danny Rose still remains unclear, whilst Everton seem keen on just about every Premier League player looking to leave a top side. The Saints however could try and play on the idea of a reunion for Shaw, especially if Ryan Bertrand looks to leave the club this summer.

Whilst this didn’t work with Theo Walcott, Shaw is a different player all together and the situation could be different. Whatever happens, the Saints can’t overlook the possibility of re-signing the left-back.

Next: Mark Hughes appointed Southampton manager

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – MARCH 10: Ryan Bertrand of Southampton during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Southampton at St. James Park on March 10, 2018 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – MARCH 10: Ryan Bertrand of Southampton during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Southampton at St. James Park on March 10, 2018 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /

Despite falling out of favour with the ever-controversial Mourinho at United, there’s no denial that like Bertrand, Shaw could easily slot in just about any top-half side as their full-back.

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The 22-year-old was brilliant on the attacking foot for the Saints during his stint under Mauricio Pochettino, something the Saints would benefit from greatly especially if Bertie left.

Naturally if the Saints did sell the England international they could shop abroad like they did with Cedric Soares, but with Shaw the club would get an established left-back with nearly 100 Premier League appearances.

The London-born defender should do well to remember that his stint with the south-coast club is what first got him a senior England cap, and helped develop him into what eventually made him the most experience teenager in world football at that point in time.

Sadly loyalty is something hard to come by modern football, but Shaw’s time with the Red Devils has been a lot less successful than what Walcott’s was with Arsenal before he eventually moved on.

Any deal for Shaw would realistically cost the Saints around £15 million, but it’s a deal the club simply have to snap up if the scenario is right. Assuming Bertrand stays then naturally the side don’t need to shop for left-backs, but the moment the board get a sniff that the latter may be looking to leave they simply can’t pass up on Shaw.