Manchester United Approach Southampton with Fresh Talks Planned for Luke Shaw

Manchester United will resume talks with Southampton over the proposed transfer of Luke Shaw on Friday, reports suggest.

Although new manager Louis van Gaal will not begin official duties at Old Trafford until after Netherlands' World Cup campaign, United are understood to have seen an opening bid of £27m for the 18-year-old left back rejected.

However, BBC Sport report the club will return with an improved offer in an attempt to secure a deal before England's World Cup campaign begins.

Van Gaal is expected to make sweeping changes at the club who recorded their worst ever Premier League finish last season with defence an area of the squad desperate for new blood. Patrice Evra recently signed a new one year contract with the club but the Frenchman's advancing years means a long term replacement remains a priority this summer.

Shaw, who will travel to Brazil as part of Roy Hodgson's England squad, could be one of an ever-growing list of departures from Southampton this summer.

Liverpool are understood to have had a £4m bid for Rickie Lambert accepted and the 32-year-old will undergo a medical with the club on Saturday, after England's World Cup warm up match with Peru on Friday evening.

The Merseyside-born striker could also be joined by Saints teammate Adam Lallana. The 26-year-old has also reportedly been the subject of an opening bid from Brendan Rodgers' side, while centre half Dejan Lovren also remains persistently linked with a move to Anfield.

The swathe of player movement on the south coast follows Mauricio Pochettino's decision to step down as manager before signing a five year deal with Tottenham Hotspur.

Lallana and Lambert could both feature for England tonight against Peru in their final home game before the World Cup finals in Brazil. However, Roy Hodgson has confirmed that Shaw is a doubt after suffering from a cold this week.