While the Southampton left-back
starts for England on Tuesday, the
Red Devils will step up efforts to
secure his signature
Manchester United have raised their
offer for Southampton's Luke Shaw to
a staggering £34million,
The increased package means the
England left-back is on course to
beat United's Wayne Rooney as the
most expensive teenager in world
football.
Shaw, 18, is set to make his first
competitive start in tonight’s clash
against Costa Rica in Belo Horizonte
- making him the second youngest
player to appear for England at a
World Cup finals behind Michael
Owen
Southampton, who rejected a
£27million bid from United last
month, refused to comment last
night on the Red Devils' fresh move
for their star defender.
But the south coast club - under no
pressure to sell - have long been
adamant that they will not cave in
for less than their valuation.
Southampton have already shown
they can play hardball over their top
stars, forcing Arsenal to splash out
£15million for Alex Oxlade-
Chamberlain three years ago.
Liverpool have been told they too
will have to pay a monster
£30million, a figure they have balked
at, if they want England midfielder
Adam Lallana.
New United boss Louis van Gaal is
determined to land the Shaw,
however, and wants executive vice-
chairman Ed Woodward to complete
a deal as soon as the player returns
from Brazil.
The fallen champions are already
prepared to offer the player, who has
made just 60 league appearances for
the Saints, a wage of around
£100,000-a-week.
Although United have retained
French left-back Patrice Evra for
another season, Dutch understudy
Alexander Buttner has already been
allowed to leave for Dinamo Moscow.
Shaw will line up alongside United
players Rooney, Chris Smalling and
Phil Jones on Tuesday evening as
England bid to avoid returning home
without a point from a miserable
tournament.
