Transfer news: Tottenham ready to make move for Luke Shaw if they miss out on Fabio Coentrao

The Southampton full-back is being monitored by numerous clubs

Luke Shaw

Tottenham are reportedly considering a move for Southampton full-back Luke Shaw should they fail in their attempts to sign Fabio Coentrao from Real Madrid.

The Evening Standard report that the 18-year-old, considered one of the hottest prospects in the Premier League, has entered Spurs' thinking as they look to address a vulnerability in the left-back position.

Tottenham are keen to sign Coentrao, who nearly moved to Manchester United on transfer deadline day in the summer, with Andre Villas Boas understood to be desperate to make the Portuguese full-back a Spurs player.

However, as was proved over the summer, taking the 25-year-old away from Real Madrid is fraught with problems which has led to the interest in Shaw.

Southampton would be unlikely to listen to offers of anything below £10m for Shaw, who has performed well in the club’s excellent opening to the campaign, which has taken them to third after 11 matches.

Shaw is the kind of player preferred by Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy — young, talented, earning relatively low wages and with obvious resale value should he continue to improve at his current rate.

Fabio Coentrao of Portugal and Real Madrid

Should is become apparent Southampton are prepared to allow Shaw to leave, Spurs can expect competition for his signature, with Manchester United and Chelsea linked with the England Under-21 international.

The last player Spurs signed from Southampton was Gareth Bale, who joined for about £10m in 2007 and departed for Real Madrid in a world-record £86m deal.