According to reports in the Chronicle Live, Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez will have been alerted to the news that Manchester United defender Luke Shaw, who is reportedly earning £80,000-a-week, is unhappy with life at Old Trafford after an interesting weekend.
The 22-year-old made a rare start at left-back against Brighton and Hove Albion in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup with Ashley Young often preferred there in recent weeks, but he was taken off at half-time by manager Jose Mourinho with the Portuguese boss publicly criticising him post-match.
Now, the England international could be looking for a way out this summer following the latest incident, with the Magpies one of the clubs that were interested in taking him on loan during the January transfer window, before Mourinho opted to keep Shaw.
Benitez would likely see a long-term future for him at St James’ Park with Paul Dummett a solid but unspectacular full-back for them right now, but they certainly won’t be the only Premier League club taking a look.
Meanwhile, West Ham United manager David Moyes will also be starting to plan for the future if the Irons secure their top flight status for another year – even if the fans are starting to lose patience with him – and he may well target his defence as a priority given they have conceded 57 goals in 30 league matches this term – only 19th-placed Stoke City have let in more.
In that regard, bringing Shaw to the London Stadium could prove to be a shrewd move as the Hammers look to push on next season if they avoid relegation to the Championship.
Here are three reasons West Ham must hijack Newcastle’s bid to sign the 22-year-old…
While Aaron Cresswell has played as a left centre-back in a three-man defence on occasions this season, his strongest position is still as a left-back or left wing-back.
West Ham currently have the 28-year-old, Arthur Masuaku and Patrice Evra fighting for that position, but few would argue that Luke Shaw wouldn’t be a big upgrade on the trio this summer if the Irons secure their Premier League status for another season.
Cresswell has failed to impress and come under scrutiny from his own supporters at times, Masuaku has shown what a liability he can be by picking up a six-match ban after being sent off for spitting against Wigan Athletic in January, while Evra was only ever going to be a short-term buy.
Shaw would bring a real freshness to the team as a full-back or wing-back, and would be able to showcase the qualities that he has.
While Shaw perhaps needs some work on his fitness following some bad injuries and his concentration on the pitch, there is no doubt of the qualities that he possesses in his locker.
The 22-year-old showed at Southampton and in the early stages of his United career how good he can be at either end of the pitch, and his pace and ability to get forward and beat his opponents mean that he is as useful in the final third as he is at the back.
The England international perhaps needs an arm around the shoulder from a new manager to boost his confidence, and David Moyes could be that man if Shaw joins West Ham.
West Ham have signed older players like Evra, Pablo Zabaleta, Jose Fonte, Joe Hart and Javier Hernandez in recent times, and while they certainly don’t neglect bringing in young players when you think back to the likes of Cresswell and Sam Byram in the past, it is a strategy that they need to start following more often.
Bringing in younger players that have the potential to improve in the future and either stay at the club for years or move on for a profit are what a club like the east London one should be looking to do, and Shaw would be the ideal signing in that respect.
The 22-year-old has lost his way at a big club like Man United but there is no doubt about the ability he has and his potential for the future, and he could prove to be a fruitful addition for West Ham both in the short-term and the long-term.
Do you agree, Irons fans? Let us know below.