The Blues are ready to promote Dutch youngster Patrick Van Aanholt, currently at Vitesse Arnhem, to second-choice left-back as Old Trafford beckons for Shaw

Chelsea are ready to pull out of the fight for Southampton left-back Luke Shaw and leave the field open for Manchester United.

Jose Mourinho and the Blues hierarchy were prepared to go head to head with United for Shaw during the January transfer window when they were alerted to a potential offer from the Old Trafford club.

But with England World Cup possible Shaw's valuation now soaring towards the £30million mark, Chelsea are turning their sights elsewhere.

Shaw is understood to believe he would be able to go to United as first choice, with Patrice Evra expected to leave Old Trafford in the summer, whereas he would be understudy to Cesar Azpilicueta if he joined the club he has always supported.

Chelsea's interest in Shaw has not disappeared completely and there is still the chance that it might be rekindled.

But the Blues, who look likely to see Ashley Cole leave at the end of the season - talks on a new contract for the 33-year-old have stalled following his relegation down Mourinho's pecking order – have started looking at alternative deputies for Azpilicueta.

Ryan Bertrand, currently on loan at Aston Villa, is set to be offloaded in the summer having failed to catch Mourinho's eye.

But Dutch youngster Patrick Van Aanholt, impressing as Chelsea's ''nursery'' club Vitesse Arnhem, will be offered a new deal and a chance to enter the first-team squad.