Manchester United Transfer News: Old Trafford Execs Close To Completing Deal For Southampton Defender Luke Shaw

Hoping to land multiple top-level talents during the approaching summer transfer window, Manchester United higher-ups have begun the difficult process of spotlighting numerous players they hope will be able to help the club rebound from a disappointing season in the Barclays Premier League. Following a championship campaign in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season as United boss, the Red Devils finished seventh in the competitive English League and also saw first-year boss David Moyes lose his job before the completing of the schedule. While popular names including international stars Marco Reus and Arjen Robben are on their radar, Old Trafford bosses are focusing their attention on a rising youngster capable of padding the defense.

According to ESPNFC, Manchester United is close to finalizing a deal that would bring Southampton defender and English National team star Luke Shaw to Old Trafford. The 18-year-old began his senior career with the Saints in 2012 but with United prepared to spend upwards of 27 million pounds to revamp the roster, Shaw’s career at St. Mary’s Stadium could be coming to an end. Due to his continued growth in recent time, Shaw earned a regular spot with Southampton and is preparing to make his senior debut with England at the upcoming World Cup in Brazil. With nothing but upgrading a disappointing squad on their minds, Manchester United bosses hope the acquisition of a player with Shaw’s skillset jumpstarts the transfer window.

“It's fair to say we are focused on strengthening the squad,” said Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward. “We are looking at some players in the squad as well, as players that perhaps may be sold this summer. We wouldn't necessarily be looking to churn [offload] a huge number of players, because that can have a destabilizing effect, but we aren't afraid of moving in the market in a way we perhaps haven't seen in recent years. If you look at the historical churning of players by number, we've had roughly three sales and three purchases each year, and it's possible we would do more than that, but I can't guide as to where that may end up.”