Could Shaw become the world's most expensive full-back? City set to break Alves' record and pay £30m for young Saint



Manchester City are ready to flex their financial muscle and pay a world-record £30million in January for Southampton’s outstanding young English prospect, Luke Shaw.



City have made it clear to Saints chairman Nicola Cortese they will pay the fee immediately to blow away rivals Chelsea and Manchester United, who also hold a long-standing interest in the left-back.



Shaw, 18, is regarded as England’s long-term successor to Ashley Cole and City accept they will have to break the world-record fee for a full-back to get him — beating the £29.5m paid by Barcelona for Dani Alves in 2008.

Talent: Southampton's Luke Shaw could be the subject of a £30million bid from Manchester City Replacement: Shaw is considered to be the future successor to England full-back Ashley Cole

Shaw — and his club — have indicated he is happy to stay at St Mary’s until the summer. But City are primed and ready to beat any offer should he become available this month.



Manager Manuel Pellegrini is convinced Shaw is the long-term answer to his problem left-back position and will allow Aleksandr Kolarov to return to Italy should the youngster arrive.

Eye on the ball: Shaw vies with Shane Long (right) during the 1-0 win over West Brom on Saturday Free to go: City boss Manuel Pellegrini will allow Aleksandr Kolarov (right) to return to Italy should Shaw arrive

With top-class English talent at a premium, City need to do everything they can to fill the quota of eight home-grown players in their Premier League squad.



Gareth Barry will leave at the end of the season after finishing his loan at Everton, while Jack Rodwell and Scott Sinclair have not earned regular selection.