Everton are in the hunt to sign Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw this summer, according to The Times.
The newspaper claim that the 22-year-old flyer is likely to leave Old Trafford at the end of the season after the break down in his relationship with manager Jose Mourinho.
The Times report that Everton are showing interest in a permanent move for Shaw in the summer after a loan enquiry was made in January for the England international.
It is said that Shaw would be keen to talk to the Toffees, but desires assurances over the club’s direction with the future of manager Sam Allardyce uncertain.
United chief executive Ed Woodward reportedly does not want to sell Shaw, but the possibility of him leaving as a free agent next summer means an exit is likely.
The Red Devils signed Shaw from Southampton in 2014 for a fee of £33million [Transfermarkt].
Good move for Everton?
Absolutely.
Shaw has had a rough time of it under Mourinho at Manchester United, but there is no doubt that there is still a classy player in there somewhere.
Mourinho seems to have fixated on Shaw as a scapegoat for United’s problems this season, and you just feel that the youngster needs a change in environment if he wants to get back on the right track.
Everton are struggling at left-back with Leighton Baines getting on and Cuco Martina not quite up to scratch, so Shaw would be a step up from those current options once he gets back to form.
This is Futbol rating: 8/10
Likely to happen?
If Everton do make a move for Shaw, then there is no reason why this one could not go through.
There only problem may be if other sides, like Tottenham, come in for Shaw as well.
The Times report states that Tottenham are also interested, and would most likely be the preferred option for Shaw as he would return to the tutelage of his former Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino.
In any case, it looks like United will sell him on this summer, and it will be interesting to see where he ends up.
This is Futbol rating: 5/10