Transfer News/Updates: 22 August – Samuel Eto – No please! Luke Shaw ,Yes please

Luke who? Luke Shaw from Southampton, an 18 year old highly rated leftback who apparently had been under the radar during Sir Alex Ferguson’s time. And possibility of Samuel Eto coming to Manchester United, or Chelsea, or even Arsenal?

Reports are suggesting that Samuel Eto’s agents will be holding talks with Chelsea and Manchester United over the Cameroonian possible move to Premier League. This due to his club Anzhi Makhachkala cost cutting measures, which will see them offloading players with huge wages, among them Eto and Willan – a Tottenham Hotspurs’ target. While a player of Eto’s quality is welcome, one has to remember this is a player past his prime and looking for possibly final outings before hanging up his boots. There is even suggestion of Eto willing to take pay cut to seal a Premiership move. Will Eto’s arrival at Old Trafford a possible replacement for the outgoing of Wayne Rooney? If this is the case it does not add up well among most of Manchester United’s supporters. Will Eto demand to be given star treatment given his past achievement? Or will he be willing be play second fiddle to Robin Van Persie? Comparing the two Rooney has better commercial value and most important of all age – Rooney at 27 definitely has more prime years ahead of him. Eto may also fall into Jose Mourinho’s plan of bringing a world class striker but the same question arises, will Eto willing to be part of the squad or will he wants a star status. Given his reputation and past his advisers will no doubt be starting their negotiation on a higher ground. Maybe Arsenal would be the better option with Arsene Wenger starting his second round of ‘panic buy’ after seeing targets like Luiz Suarez and Gonzalo Higuain not coming through, and after a dreadful start to their season. Yes it may strengthen Arsenal but United will hopefully not fall into the ‘desperation signing’ mode.

 

Elsewhere 18 years old leftback Luke Shaw from Southampton has been linked with Manchester United, especially after David Moyes efforts to sign Leighton Baines seems remotely slim. The rational for wanting Marauone Fellaini can be accepted by most United’s fans but not so on Baines. Despite his qualities Baines is already 29 years and at more than £15 million would be over-valued. In addition to that the incumbent leftback at United – Patrice Evra – is having some of his best start to a season and being 32, is not showing signs of slowing down – as evident by the last two matches against Wigan and Swansea. Besides being the vice captain, Evra is also one of the most loyal and outspoken member of United’s veteran players. His battling quality with his love for the club makes him one of the unsung heroes among most United’s fans. One could only speculate that David Moyes probably has intention to move Evra up the left flanks where United has been weak on occasions, where Ryan Giggs at 40 years soon would not hold that flanks too well, and with both Nani and Ashley Young failing to be consistent enough throughout the season. There are also Fabio da Silva and Alexander Buttner to call upon for the leftback position.

 

Luke Shaw would seem a sensible target to Leighton Baines. Even though Shaw had only recently signed a new contract at Southampton and has display solid performance so far for Southampton, it would not be hard to have his head turn if club like Manchester United come calling. In addition, the kind of money that United is willing to pay for an 18 years old could tempt Southampton. Shaw has also been touted as ‘the new Gareth Bale in the making’ and being English is more than enough reason for David Moyes to go after this player.