Manchester United are preparing to leave left-back Luke Shaw on a lucrative new contract for his outstanding form this season.
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The 25-year-old has gone through some tricky years at Old Trafford and seemed to be facing an uphill battle to save his career when United picked out around £ 20m for Brazilian Alex Telles last summer, but Shaw has responded by playing some of the best football in his career.
Shaw has been outstanding this season Marc Atkins / Getty Images
His electric form, which has also given him a recall to the England squad, has made Shaw one of the first names on the team magazine, and according to the Daily Star, United are ready to reward Shaw for his bounce.
Shaw’s current deal, which has two years left to run, is worth around £ 150,000 a week, but United are prepared to take it up to £ 190,000 a week after seeing him flourish into one of the best left-backs in Premier League.
With 40 matches in all competitions, Shaw has been Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s clear favorite for the left – back, and the Englishman’s dominance in the starting line – up is said to have left Telles more than a little frustrated with his situation.
Telles was expected to replace Shaw | Alex Pantling / Getty Images
Telles was chased by some of the game’s biggest teams last summer but eventually settled at United, where he was expected to be the undisputed starter, but Shaw’s good form has forced the Brazilian to accept just seven Premier League matches this year.
Some dubious reports in Italy suggested that Telles could be used in a swap deal for Juventus’ Alex Sandro, while the Portuguese outlet Record claimed that the 28-year-old could be offered Sporting CP in exchange for the young defender Nuno Mendes.
18-year-old Mendes comes with a £ 65 million release clause but could be available for close to £ 35 million, and offering Telles in exchange could lower the fee even further.
Solskjaer has a number of decisions to make Pool / Getty Images
In addition to Shaw’s contract, United must also decide on the future of a handful of players whose offers will expire at the end of the season.
Goalkeepers Lee Grant and Sergio Romero can both go away while Spanish midfielder Juan Mata and striker Edinson Cavani are both facing uncertain futures as well.
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