Chelsea and Real Madrid to Battle For 20m Rated Star

Young English prospects always cause a sizeable stir in the transfer rumour mill, but rarely does such fervour spread beyond the bounds of the United Kingdom. The potential of 18 year old Luke Shaw, however, might be an exception to this rule. Real Madrid are reportedly considering a bid for the Southampton full back, who has, thus far, been most strongly linked with Chelsea.

Some might question the necessity of the purchase from a Madrid point of view, given that they currently have 4 international fullbacks at the club, 3 of which are under the age of 26. But when has necessity ever had anything to do with the transfer policy of Los Blancos? It’s possible that Portuguese left back Coentrão might be seeking a move away from Madrid in search of first team football, now that Marcelo has secured a regular starting birth ahead of the 26 year old. In fact, there are suggestions that he may be bound for Manchester, as a replacement for United’s aging Patrice Evra.

The suggestion is that, in order to acquire the services of Shaw, clubs will be made to pay something in the order of 20 million pounds, quite a fee for a player who’s only recently made his international debut, and has many years of development ahead of him. Should Shaw appear in the World Cup this year, and perform well, his stock will rise every higher, and could become one of many players who have secured hefty contracts on the back of an international display in the biggest tournament in sports.

Chelsea fans will be hoping that his child hood support of their side will sway Shaw’s decision in the direction of Stamford Bridge, but the lure of the crisp white kit and the Santiago Bernabau is sure to be something of a temptation for an 18 year old fullback.