With Luke Shaw out of the picture -- Manchester United are offering a package worth £56 million over 5 years for the Southampton defender -- Chelsea will be exploring other options to work out a longer-term solution at left back than 'make Cesar Azpilicueta play out of position'. It could be that one of Ryan Bertrand or Patrick van Aanholt is recalled, it could be that Ashley Cole receives a new lease on life, or it could be that we spend a bit of money on the position this summer.
Given Jose Mourinho's usage patterns of both Bertrand and Cole this season, it's the latter option that seems more likely, and with Shaw sounding like a lock for Old Trafford, we're starting to hear other names enter the frame. One such candidate is Sevilla's Alberto Moreno:
Non only @realmadrid looking forward #Moreno (@SevillaFC): @chelseafc offered €15M for the spanish left back defender
— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) April 23, 2014
Moreno might not have Shaw's sky-high potential, but he represents a far wiser purchase, especially at €15 million (roughly £12 million) and what should be relatively low wages. He's a good all-around left back, he's only 21 and while one can't really imagine him unseating Jordi Alba anytime soon, he's a full Spanish international as well. I have no idea whether or not Sevilla will accept the rumoured bid, but it looks like enough cash that they should at least seriously consider it.
If the di Marzio tweet is accurate, I can't imagine Real Madrid will put up a significant fight for Moreno -- they have Fabio Coentrao and Marcelo at their disposal already. In fact, I'd guess that the sternest competition might come from the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City. Both will be playing in the Champions League next season, and both should be looking to upgrade at fullback.
But no matter what, this is the sort of player we should be looking to pursue. Nevermind chasing Shaw with his reported £100,000 per week wages and an Eden Hazard-esque transfer fee. Let's play things smart in the window and save our money for where it'll count -- at centre forward and in central midfield.