Long set for West Brom

The Shane Long transfer saga seems to be drawing to a close, as Reading are close to agreeing a fee with West Brom for star striker Shane Long.

The deal will be completed sometime this week, with the fee believed to be around £6m with a vary of other add-ons.

Long is currently away on international duty with the Republic of Ireland, but reports coming from his home country suggest he will be offered a four-year deal, earning £25,000 a week.

The 24-year old has been a wanted man since his 25 goals last season, helping the Royals to the Play-off final at Wembley.

Roy Hodgson has always been an admirer of the striker even during his time at Liverpool, but the Albion boss appears to have won the race for Long, which saw West Ham, Newcastle and Leicester heavily linked with the forward.

If Long was to be sold, Brian McDermott admitted a direct replacement would be unlikely but could bring someone else in, with Crawley’s Matt Tubbs being linked.