Transfer Centre

Chelsea 'regard Manchester United defender Luke Shaw as long-term target'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 15 January 2024

Chelsea 'regard Man United's Shaw as long-term target'

Chelsea reportedly regard Manchester United defender Luke Shaw as a long-term transfer target.

Chelsea reportedly hold an interest in signing Manchester United defender Luke Shaw.

Despite their £1bn-plus outlay across the previous three transfer windows, the Blues allegedly remain in the market for new additions.

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino is said to be interested in acquiring a new centre-back, central midfielder and forward before the end of January.

Whether that materialises remains to be seen, it far from a simple process due to Chelsea having to be wary of breaching FFP regulations in the short and long term.

Nevertheless, with Ian Maatsen having been loaned out to Borussia Dortmund and his future seemingly far from certain, signing a new left-back in the future cannot be ruled out.

Chelsea's Ben Chilwell looks dejected after the match on September 24, 2023 © Reuters

Current incumbent Levi Colwill is expected to return to the centre at some stage, Ben Chilwell has been hit by constant injury issues and Marc Cucurella has been regularly linked with a transfer elsewhere.

According to journalist Simon Phillips, Shaw has been identified as a potential option by the West Londoners.

Shaw is closing in on 10 seasons at Old Trafford, where he has made a total of 270 appearances for the Red Devils in all competitions.

The current expectation is that the 28-year-old will remain at the Theatre of Dreams in the long run, a consequence of his contract running until 2027.

West Ham United's Mohammed Kudus in action with Manchester United's Luke Shaw on December 23, 2023 © Reuters

However, Shaw's frequent injury issues and United being required to boost their FFP position at some stage could conceivably lead to a sale if the right offer is made.

Pochettino is also no stranger to Shaw after working with him at the beginning of his stint at Southampton between January 2013 and May 2014.

As a result of a muscle injury, Shaw has made just 10 starts this campaign, the last of which came on December 23.

Phillips adds that Manchester City's Sergio Gomez is a surprise name on Chelsea's shortlist, with the Spaniard out of favour at the Etihad Stadium and possessing similar versatile attributes to that of Maatsen.