WEST BROM HAVE given Shane Long permission to speak to Hull after accepting an undisclosed offer from the Premier League club.
The Ireland striker, whose current deal is up in the summer (although there is a year’s option in the club’s favour), has been subject of much speculation this month but will now join the Tigers if he can agree personal terms — having just missed out on a move last summer.
Speaking to the club’s website, Baggies sporting & technical director Richard Garlick said: “We began talking to Shane about a new contract last spring and, during the ongoing negotiations, we made him two offers which would have significantly increased his salary.
“However, despite our best endeavours, Shane has declined to sign a new contract.
Shane effectively only has 18 months left on his deal and with him no closer to accepting our terms and then Hull making an acceptable offer, we felt it was in the club’s best interests to accept the bid.”
If a deal is struck for Long, he will join Nikica Jelavic as the second striker signed by Hull this month. The Croatian arrived from Everton yesterday for a fee believed to be around £6m.
