Arsenal are believed to be favourites to sign Southampton youngster Luke Shaw in January. The Daily Mail reports the 17-year-old will cost the Gunners £5m. Shaw was linked with a transfer to the Emirates at the start of the season.
Southampton and Arsenal have a cordial relationship, with Arsene Wenger having signed Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain from the St Mary's club. Shaw is already a Premier League regular under Nigel Adkins this season.
The teenager's potential arrival is likely to signal the end of Brazilian Andre Santos' time at the Emirates. The 29-year-old signed from Turkish club Fenerbahce last season but has failed to hold down a regular first team place under Wenger. In addition, problems like the shirt-swapping incident with ex-striker Robin van Persie are unlikely to speak in his favour.
Should Shaw sign for the north London club, he will likely slot in as an understudy to 23-year-old Kieran Gibbs. Arsenal's first choice left-back has two England caps and seems to have recovered well from a thigh injury earlier in the season. His absence from the left flank forced Wenger to play centre back Thomas Vermaelen in the position, after Santos' poor shows.
- FOLLOW IBTIMES
-
Wenger has also been linked with a £15m move for Everton left-back Leighton Baines; the Toffees' star is a long-time Manchester United target but will provide a far more experienced, if relatively expensive, option for Arsenal.
Ferguson Denies Nani Rumours
Meanwhile, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has dismissed reports of Arsenal bidding £16m for Nani. The Portuguese international has had a troubled first half of the 2012/13 season, making only 11 appearances so far. However, Ferguson has insisted the 26-year-old winger remains an important part of his side.
"Nani's contract isn't up until the end of next season - and we need him. He offers something different from the other players we have. Unfortunately, he's been injured. We have sent Nani over to Dubai for a break in the hope that it will help him with his recovery. I don't think we will have him back until the middle of January," the 70-year-old Ferguson explained.
"He's never had a hamstring injury before and this is a bad one. But Nani has got a future here. Why would I want to let him go?" he concluded.
