Transfer news: Chelsea plan to use £37m from Juan Mata sale to beat Manchester United to Luke Shaw signature

Saints player could leave this January

Southampton's highly rated left-back Luke Shaw (GETTY IMAGES)

Chelsea could use the £37.1m they received from the sale of Juan Mata to ensure they beat Manchester United to the signature of Luke Shaw, according to reports.

It was thought that Chelsea were planning on waiting until the summer to make a £20m swoop for the left back.

However now the Evening Standard report that the Blues may try and act before the end of this transfer window in order to ward off any competition from United.

Southampton are adamant none of their players is for sale. However, United want Shaw as the eventual replacement to Patrice Evra, whose deal runs out in the summer, while Chelsea see the 18‑year-old as the successor to Ashley Cole, who has yet to be offered a contract for next season.

Chelsea are confident they can win any bidding war thanks to the £53m generated by this month’s sales of Mata and Kevin de Bruyne. They have made a profit in excess of £20m despite buying Nemanja Matic and Mohamed Salah.

Shaw is believed to want a move to west London as he grew up a fan of the club and enrolled at a Chelsea Development Centre in Guildford as a child.

To secure the deal, Chelsea could loan Shaw back to Southampton for the rest of the season.

Chelsea are close to signing Kurt Zouma from Saint Etienne for £10m. It is understood personal terms have been agreed but the 19‑year‑old defender might not move until the summer.