Shaw close to huge pay hike in extended United deal

Full-back rewarded for battling back to top form Club silent on reports of Saudi Arabian takeover

Luke Shaw is in advanced talks over a new long-term contract at Manchester United. Shaw will be offered a huge increase on his £100,000-a-week contract to complete a remarkable turnaround under Jose Mourinho. The England international’s deal runs out at the end of this season, but United have initiated talks and are confident of sorting the terms this month.

Shaw endured a difficult season under Mourinho last term, when his commitment and ambition were questioned, but the 23-year-old has emerged as a regular this campaign.

The £27million signing was even singled out for praise by Mourinho after the 3-0 home defeat by Tottenham Hotspur in August and has been arguably United’s best performer in a troubled season.

Shaw has also returned to the England team and was selected by Gareth Southgate for the Uefa Nations League game against Spain in September, making his first appearance for his country in three years, before suffering a head injury. He was also picked for the recent games in Croatia and Spain, but had to pull out through injury.

Now United want to tie Shaw down to a new contract and negotiations are expected to continue over the next few days. He is likely to become one of the best-paid defenders in Europe on a deal expected to be for four or five years.

Meanwhile, United did not comment last night on reports of a takeover bid from Saudi Arabia. It has been claimed that Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman – the son of King Salman of Saudi Arabia – is considering bidding for the Glazer family’s shares in United. The ruling family have long been linked with a takeover of United and the club have a strong relationship with the country. The Glazers have always dismissed any idea of a sale.

The reports come at a time of acute political controversy with governments around the world demanding answers from Saudi Arabia after journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a critic of Prince Mohammad who has written for The Washington Post, went missing from the Saudi consulate in Istanbul two weeks ago. Turkish officials believe Mr Khashoggi was murdered in the consulate by Saudi agents but Riyadh has denied this.