Southampton reject West Brom approach to re-sign Shane Long
West Brom have turned to Andy Carroll after failing to re-sign Shane Long from Southampton, according to The Athletic.
The news outlet reports that Carroll, 33, is due to undergo a medical with the Baggies this morning ahead of joining on a free transfer after he left Reading this month.
It is understood that before moving for the former Liverpool, Newcastle and West Ham striker, Albion looking into re-signing 35-year-old Long on loan from Southampton.
However, Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl blocked a loan deal for the Irish striker to return to The Hawthorns.
Annoying
Long may have been a better option for West Brom than Carroll.
During his days at The Hawthorns, the ex-Reading striker was known for his incredible aerial ability and tireless work rate – two things that would really suit Valerien Ismael’s style of play.
Of course, since leaving the Black Country club for Hull in 2014 after 87 appearances and 22 goals, it’s obvious that Long has gone backwards and is not the same player we once had.
Despite this, his work ethic remains top-notch and while he cannot leap as high as he once did, we’d still fancy him to give Carroll a run for his money in the air.
Long has played just six times in all appearances for Southampton this season and he’s started just once.
It’s hard to see why Hasenhuttl won’t let him go when he has Armando Broja, Che Adams and Adam Armstrong among his striker options plus the fact that Southampton will surely be nowhere near the Premier League’s relegation battle.
Thanks, Hassenhuttl. Now we’re getting Carroll.
In other West Brom news, a different ex-Albion striker has sent a one-word tweet when asked if he could return to the club.