Man Utd: £30m deal for Shaw could be Moyes's parting gift
But the departure of David Moyes could lead to an exodus, with Evra and Van Persie tipped to leave
AS David Moyes settles down to enjoy the delights of daytime television, speculation over which players may or may not be arriving at Old Trafford this summer is well underway.
And although the Scot may not be fondly remembered by many at Old Trafford his legacy could be a lasting one, if The Guardian is to be believed. The paper claims that before losing his job Moyes had all but persuaded Southampton prodigy Luke Shaw to shun Chelsea and instead move to United this summer.
The paper claims that a £30m deal to buy the teenager on a £100,000 a-week salary is virtually complete and will provide the club with a "boost" after the departure of the manager. The massive deal was "far greater" than anything offered by the Blues and catapults Shaw into the big time, even if United are in danger of slipping out of it.
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Shaw might not be the only new arrival at the back this summer. According to Goal.com, Lille centre-back Simon Kjaer is another name being bandied about with increasing regularity. The 25-year Denmark international joined the French outfit last year from German club Wolfsburg and has put in a string of eye-catching performances this season. Taking its cue from local Lille rag, La Voix du Nord, Goal.com says United scouts "have taken an interest" in Kjaer in recent weeks and it's believed they'll recommend the Danish defender to whoever takes charge at Old Trafford next season. Asked about the rumours, Kjaer replied: "It's always nice to know about interest from other big clubs but to be honest rumours like that are not in my thoughts at all right now."
Someone tipped to heading in the other direction is United midfielder Tom Cleverley. The England playmaker has fallen foul of large sections of the United faithful this season and Metro claims that Everton have him in their sights. Describing Cleverley as Everton's "crucial transfer target" this summer, Metro says Toffees boss Roberto Martinez is "ready to make a £6m bid" for the player. Apparently United are reluctant to sell Cleverley but recognize his brittle relationship with the fans might make it advisable to accept Everton's offer.
Could Robin Van Persie and Nani also be heading for the Man United exit? Apparently so, if the Daily Express is to be believed. The paper claims that Italian outfit Juventus have decided to flog former United starlet Paul Pogba to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer for £60m and use the cash to lure the two current United players away from Old Trafford. Nani would not be missed, but the departure of RVP might not go down well with the new gaffer.
ESPN warns that the problems at Old Trafford could also mean the departures of Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra, who will both be out of contract and may have headed off to pastures new by the time a full-time replacement for Moyes arrives in the hotseat.
Elsewhere and Talksport reports that Chelsea and Arsenal have been joined by Juventus in the race to sign young Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot. The 19-year-old midfielder is highly regarded in France but is allegedly anxious to get more game time for PSG, where he faces strong competition from the likes of Yohan Cabaye, Thiago Motta, Blaise Matuidi and Marco Verratti. The lack of obvious opportunities, particularly if Pogba arrives in the summer, is given as the reason why Rabiot has yet to extend his contract beyond the end of next season, fuelling speculation that Juventus or one of the Premier League pair will table a big-money bid in the summer.
The Daily Express says that Spurs midfielder Sandro has dismissed suggestions he could be on his way to the Emirates in the summer. The Brazilian was left out of the Spurs squad against Fulham at the weekend, leading to rumours he could be set to leave the Lane at the end of the season with Arsenal a possible destination. But asked about the Gunners' link by Brazilian media outlet Lancenet, Sandro responded: "I'm happy here at Tottenham. If the rival supporters want me to go to their team, I think I'm doing a good job and being recognised."
And another player declaring his happiness with life is Arsenal striker Oliver Giroud despite the fact he's been linked with a return to France in the summer. In an interview with French broadcaster Telefoot, the frontman laughed off the idle gossip, declaring: "My contract runs until 2016 [and] of course I'll remain a Gunner next year, this is certainly my will. Don't listen to the media. I am happy in London and my future lies with Arsenal."
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