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Southampton: Saints would face competition from Barcelona for Shaw

By Chris Hughes

HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 17: Luke Shaw of Manchester United during the The Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Huddersfield Town and Manchester United on February 17, 2018 in Huddersfield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 17: Luke Shaw of Manchester United during the The Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Huddersfield Town and Manchester United on February 17, 2018 in Huddersfield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) /
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Any hopes Southampton may have of re-signing of left-back Luke Shaw will have been seriously dented after the Spanish giants were credited with an interest in the Englishman.

Both Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho have struggled to get the best out of the left-back during their respective stints at Manchester United and it now seems like this summer could be his last as a Red Devil.

Shaw wouldn’t be short of suitors if he were to leave United, and I’ve written about how the Saints cannot pass by the opportunity to bring him back to the south coast.

Whilst it was originally envisaged that the likes of Everton or Tottenham would challenge any move the Saints may make, it’s now reported that Barcelona are keen on the 22-year-old.

Whilst the Catalan side are blessed with one of the world’s best left-backs in Jordi Alba, they may be looking for a new back-up is Lucas Digne looks to leave this summer.

Next: West Ham handed a boost ahead of Southampton game

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 03: Tommy Smith of Huddersfield Town and Luke Shaw of Manchester United battle for the ball during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Huddersfield Town at Old Trafford on February 3, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 03: Tommy Smith of Huddersfield Town and Luke Shaw of Manchester United battle for the ball during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Huddersfield Town at Old Trafford on February 3, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) /

The Frenchman only joined Barca 18 months ago from PSG but the same report mentions that he has rarely featured as a result of Alba’s class. There’s no denial that Digne could easily be a first-choice full-back for one of Europe’s top teams and as a result it’s looking likely he’ll find a new side this summer.

If he does a move at the end of the season then Barca moving for Shaw isn’t an unrealistic scenario, given that the Englishman could be available for a cut-price deal around £15-20 million which would make it a risk-free investment for the Spanish giants.

If they are indeed interested as the report suggests that it seriously dents any opportunity that the Saints may have of recruiting their former full-back.

Irregardless of what playing time the 22-year-old may get in Spain, very few players are able to resist the temptation of playing for the La Liga champions, especially as the offer may not arise ever again.

Shaw seemed like the perfect replacement if Ryan Bertrand does choose to move on this summer which seems more likely to happen that not, meaning this news adds to the turmoil that has been Southampton’s 2017/18 season.

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