Southampton exodus: Man Utd sign shaw, Lallana in Liverpool medical

Coral have cut their odds on Southampton being relegated from next season’s Premier League to 7/1 (from 9/1), following the news that Manchester United have signed teenage left back Luke Shaw and Saints skipper Adam Lallana is to undergo a medical at Liverpool.

Teenage left back Shaw arrives at Old Trafford on a four-year contract, with the option of another year, for a reported fee of £27m. This could rise to £31m through performance-related bonuses.

Forward-thinking midfielder Lallana, 26, meanwhile, is set to join Brendan Rodgers’ boys for a price in the region of £25m. Two earlier offers were turned down by Southampton, but talks reopened when he stated his desire to leave after 14 years at the south coast club.

Both players were members of England’s World Cup squad, but an early exit from the Brazil finals for the Three Lions has seen them return home. Lallana’s move to Anfield, a month or so on from the £4m sale of former St Mary’s teammate Rickie Lambert to Liverpool, could be complete before the knockout phase gets underway.

Shaw, 18, has become the most expensive teenager in British and world football history, and he will compete with Patrice Evra from the left back berth under new Red Devils boss Louis van Gaal. Dutch understudy Alex Buttner was recently sold to Dynamo Moscow.

“I want to continue to progress my career and joining United is the ideal place for me to do that,” Shaw said. He becomes Van Gaal’s second signing in as many days following the arrival of Athletic Bilbao midfielder Ander Herrera for a reported £29m.

“Luke is a very talented young left back with great potential,” Red Devils assistant Ryan Giggs added. “He has developed immensely during his time at Southampton and has all the attributes to become a top player.”

Saints executive director Les Reed has confirmed all revenues from these sales will be made available to new manager Ronald Koeman to invest in the squad, despite reports in the spring Southampton had unpaid transfer fees from their own recruitment and a bill for their new training ground to foot.