As David Moyes continues to reconstruct Manchester Unitedโs squad ahead of a title charge next season, the Red Devils boss is eying two England internationalโs from Southampton.
According to reports from the Daily Express, amongst others, United are set to bid ยฃ30 million ($50 million) for Saintsโ academy products Adam Lallana and Luke Shaw.
Saintsโ captain Lallana, 25, has dazzled for England since bursting onto the scene for the Three Lions in recent months. Able to operate in a variety of attacking midfield roles on the left, right and in the center, Lallanaโs box of tricks constantly bamboozles opposition defenders. As for Shaw, the 18-year-old made his full England debut last Wednesday against Denmark and looks made for the international game, with solid defending and marauding runs forward from left back.
Splashing that kind of cash on two of Englandโs brightest young talents could well cost United more than $50 million if theyโre successful.
(MORE: Is Adam Lallana the man England should build their World Cup dreams around?)
The Saints are extremely wealthy themselves and have no need to sell their prizes assets. Along with Rickie Lambert and Jay Rodriguez, Lallana and Shaw wrote club history last week as four Southampton players had never been called up for England at the same time in the clubs 129 year history.
With the strongest squad in living history, Saints are reluctant to break it up with Mauricio Pochettinoโs target to deliver UEFA Champions League soccer in the next few years.
Would Shaw and Lallana be foolish to turn down a potential move to Old Trafford? Shaw would likely benefit more, as Unitedโs long-term left back Patrice Evra is set to leave this summer when heโs contract expires, so Shaw is likely to grab a starting spot straightaway. Lallanaโs decision would be trickier, as heโd have to battle with the likes of Juan Mata and Adnan Januzaj for the central or wide playmaker role and both would have to give up legendary status with fans of the South Coast club theyโve both been at since extremely young ages.
Both players are tied down to long-term contracts at St. Maryโs and with Saintsโ resurgence seeing them likely finish just below Man United in the PL standings this season, is it really much of an upgrade?
Unitedโs fans would love to see young English talent arrive. But, unlike the past, are those feelings still reciprocated by talented English youngsters like Lallana and Shaw?
