Arsenal could have signed Luke Shaw from Southampton for just £2m, but thought he was a bit pricey.

That little bit of information was revealed in Michael Calvin’s great book, The Nowhere Men, ‘the unknown story of football’s true talent spotters.’

Released a couple of years ago, this might be something you already know, but for me, as I make my way through the book for the first time after having it on my shelf since its release (to my shame), it was new to me.

Scout, Mark Anderson, who uncovered Raheem Sterling for Liverpool, told Calvin about Shaw that he was “Very relaxed on the ball.

“A bit splay-footed, but naturally left-footed. Gives you great width and gets his crosses in.

“When the opportunity is there to have a dig on goal he’s not afraid to take it on.

“Arsenal could have had him for two million in the summer, but baulked at the price. Now it’s three million, and Southampton are not returning any calls.

“I’ve a feeling he’ll stay.”

There’s no exact date given for this, but Arsenal were linked with Shaw in 2012. At the time, Nigel Adkins, their then-manager, was adamant he would stay.

Stay he did, for another two years at least.

He cost Manchester United approximately £30m in 2014.

Shaw has been sidelined since September when he picked up a double leg fracture against PSV. He is hopeful of returning to action before the end of the season and could even be taken to the Euros by Roy Hodgson.