Ernesto Valverde’s first season in charge of Camp Nou seems to be heading towards a successful end but the manager is already planning for life next season, as he looks to solve the tiny frailties that are still a part of the squad.
There are a few positions in the first team that need to be strengthened this summer and the full-backs role is something the manager is desperate to add options to. While the likes of Nelson Semedo and Sergi Roberto have done a decent job at right-back, Barcelona do not have too many options for their left-back spot.
Jordi Alba remains their first choice LB but his back up in Lucas Digne has not enough to warrant a place in the first team next season. This has seen Valverde scout for some of the finest players in that role and the latest name doing the rounds is Manchester United star, Luke Shaw.
A transfer target for many a club in England, Shaw moved to Old Trafford from St Mary’s in 2013 but is yet to establish himself in the first team at United. He has constantly been criticized by Jose Mourinho this season and the last and reports earlier in the month claimed that Shaw has finally had enough of the criticism and is not happy with the treatment he is getting at the club.
It is understood that Shaw will be up for sale, with United already looking for replacements so is he the right man for Barcelona?
Regarded as one of the best full-backs in England even now, the 22-year old is a strong and dominating defender, who loves to sit back and soak up the pressure. His pace and dribbling technique allow him to be a menace in the final third but strength in hold up play and ability to read the game and make important tackles is what Shaw is best at.
At just 22, he already has 99 PL appearances and seven appearances for the national side and is a decent coup for even the biggest teams in Europe.
Barcelona have all but given up on Digne and have been tracking Bayern Munich star David Alaba who will not be easy to lure out of Germany. He will also be expensive but Shaw, who has just over 12 months left on his current deal at Old Trafford, is a cheaper option.
Barca need funds to improve on other areas of the squad and signing Shaw on the cheap could be a masterstroke by Valverde. The United man has all the makings of turning into a superstar in the future and is definitely an option Barcelona should look at this summer.
