By John O’Leary
When Manchester United completed the transfer of defender Luke Shaw as an 18 year old from Southampton in 2014, the £27 million price tag made him the most expensive teenage signing in Premier League history. This year, there are those who have said that they would be happy to warm the United subs bench for half the money, but boss Jose Mourinho insists that the youngster’s time to shine is here at last.
With the transfer window looming and mutterings heard in the dressing room about a desire to spend more money improving the middle of the park, the real question is whether or not these words are being said too late.
Place your bets – transfer time is coming
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The bookmakers are offering relatively short odds of 4/1 for Shaw to make a move to Spurs in the New Year, or a tantalizing 6/1 shot is that he will head back to his native Southampton. The quoted odds include loan deals, and there are numerous other options available.
No way, says Jose
The bookmakers usually know a thing or two about which way the wind is blowing, and compared with other transfer odds on offer, Shaw looks like a good bet to be heading for new pastures as soon as 2018 is underway. However, United boss Jose Mourinho has been keen to pour cold water on any such suggestion.
There have been media rumors of tension between Mourinho and the young defender for some months, but over recent days, both have made a concerted effort to show they are singing from the same hymn sheet and that all is rosy in the garden at Old Trafford.
After severely limited first team opportunities this season, Shaw took his chance when it was presented to him, and played a key role in United’s 2-1 Champions League win over CSKA Moscow on 05 December. His boss described him as “really dangerous,” and praised his positivity and intensity throughout the game.
Mourinho also acknowledged that the opportunity had been a long time coming, and made a point of stressing that on the strength of his performance, more chances for first team glory would be quick to follow.
Shaw had previously indicated that he would be seeking a £5 million golden handshake were he to be maneuvered away from Old Trafford, but over the past week, he has been keen to reciprocate Mourinho’s conciliatory attitude.
So will he stay or will he go? The points to remember are twofold: Firstly, the transfer window is still a couple weeks away, and that is a long time in football. Secondly, the bookmakers usually know what they are talking about, so watch the odds like a hawk.