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Elia has played in Holland, Germany and Italy. Sabelo Mngoma
Done Deal

Bad news for Shane Long? Southampton have agreed a deal to sign a Dutch winger in January

Ronald Koeman is getting his transfer business done early.

SOUTHAMPTON WILL SIGN Eljero Elia on loan until the end of the season when the transfer window opens next week.

The 27-year-old will arrive at St Mary’s on 3 January from German club Werder Bremen with the option of making his switch from the Bundesliga outfit permanent when the current campaign finishes.

Ronald Koeman had admitted his interest in Elia earlier on Tuesday, saying: “He is one of the players on our list to bring in January.

“We need at least one more player up front because we lose Sadio Mane in January for the Africa Cup. We need another player for that position and he is a good option.”

Elia was named Dutch Football Talent of the Year in 2009 and has 27 caps for his country, including an appearance at the 2010 World Cup.

His arrival on the south coast could, however, be bad news for Shane Long. For much of the season, the Irish international has been deployed on the wing by Koeman and has struggled to make an impression having scored just twice in 16 Premier League appearances.

With Graziano Pelle and Dusan Tadic firmly established in Koeman’s side, Long’s opportunities up-front have been few and far between after a £12 million move from Hull in August.

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