Rumour: Manchester City preparing huge bid for Luke Shaw

Manchester City are preparing a huge £30 million offer for Southampton’s highly sought-after Luke Shaw, according to Goal.

Shaw is at the centre of a tug-of-war between a host of top clubs, including City, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea. Liverpool have also been linked while some European sides are thought to have taken a fancy to the left-back, too.

The 18-year-old has been a revelation at Southampton in the Premier League and, after making his England debut against Denmark recently, he looks set to leave the club in the summer.

City manager Manuel Pellegrini has earmarked the left-back spot as a key area of improvement for his side, with neither Gael Clichy nor Aleksandar Kolarov convincing him this season.

Shaw is regarded as the finest domestic talent of his generation and is battling Ashley Cole for a place in England’s World Cup squad.

Chelsea are long-term admirers of Shaw, who is a boyhood Blues fan, and possess a geographical advantage over other interested clubs with the youngster’s parents residing in Raynes Park, just a short drive from the club’s Cobham training base.

City are hoping that the form of Cesar Azpilicueta and the reliability he provides Jose Mourinho may give them advantage in the summer where they prepare to launch their bid to sign Shaw.