Have to give credit where it's due to Simon Peach, the only journalist who seems to have bothered to comprehend the situation: "Fantastic news for #SaintsFC as @Luke_shaw3 commits his future to the club. I understand he will sign a five-year deal on his 18th birthday." "Shaw already on a pro deal at #SaintsFC but at 17 only allowed to sign for a max of three years. At 18 you are allowed to commit for longer."
Its great news, whatever spin you put on it, at this point time Luke can't do anymore than that. Just imagine what the season would look like if Luke hadn't stepped up, shudder. Arsene can take his rod to a different pool.
the club have released this news to reassure the fans that luke will not be sold in this january transfer window and to ward off any possible offers from anyone. no club will put an offer in for him now, will they?
Bet Luke is on peanuts...with a decent increase when he reaches eighteen. Mind you most boys would play football for free at his age. Listening to his interview I have realised why he is fearless in the Premier League, he hasn't got the brains to be afraid (bless!).
"Mr Shaw, you are to be confined to the city of Southampton for the next 6 months, and you will only be allowed to leave the city if accompanied by Mr Nigel Adkins."
They might be dissuaded, but it makes no difference. Any offer deemed unacceptable would be shredded, and any offer deemed acceptable would still be accepted now (not that I expect us to receive one).
I understand your scepticism (especially with the interview sounding painfully scripted at points) but I still see this as extremely positive news. For the last three years we've adopted the mentality of "it's not official until it's on the OS" and by plastering "Shaw: I'm Here To Stay" on the homepage, they would be massively shooting themselves in the foot if he was to up and leave without signing a contract so that leads me to believe a pre-contract agreement has been signed (different to the contract Adkins has referred to in the past) that probably has quite a handsome loyalty bonus worked in to it. Who knows, the fancy cars seen outside St. Mary's yesterday could be those of Shaw's agent and maybe a present young Luke bought himself to celebrate? Makes sense considering this was filmed yesterday?
I also hope that when he passes his test he doesn't go out and buy a flash motor (which sadly he will). Young men and fast cars is a very bad mix.
