Chelsea and Tottenham to do battle over future England star

Still only 17 years old, Luke Shaw’s performances for Southampton this season have defied his tender age.

And his superlative displays at left-back have not gone unnoticed by a number of leading Premier League outfits, who appear set to war over his services this summer.

Arsenal had long admired the full-back, tipped as a future England star, and were thought to lead the chase for the London-born starlet.

But they look to have been headed in the race for his signature by Chelsea and Tottenham, both of whom are believed to be willing to pay more than the £10m Arsene Wenger wants to.

As such, Shaw is expected to be the subject of a £16.5m bid from both the Blues and Spurs this summer, with each hoping he will be joining a Champions League outfit.

Shaw signed a new five-year deal with his current club only earlier this year, and so the Saints are under no pressure to sell one of their prize assets, particularly if they maintain their Premier League status, as they are favoured at 1/12 to do.

However, a part-exchange arrangement would likely tempt Southampton, as would a deal that would enable them to keep hold of Shaw for at least another season on loan.

That would appear viable to clubs with squads as big as Chelsea and Tottenham’s, and the fact that Ashley Cole remains at Stamford Bridge would indicate Shaw’s opportunities would be limited in his first year there anyway.

Meanwhile, Spurs can point to the way an ex-Southampton youngster, Gareth Bale, has flourished since moving to White Hart Lane as they look to gain the upper hand in landing the full-back.

With the youngster having a big decision to make, it seems safe to assume that Shaw will eventually flee the St. Mary’s nest, possibly as early as this summer, but his destination currently remains unknown.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.