Baggies bag £6m Hammers and Magpies striker target - report

West Bromwich Albion are expected to complete a deal to sign Shane Long from Reading, despite being linked with a move to West Ham United and Newcastle United, according to the East London Advertiser.

The Republic of Ireland striker, whose goals helped Reading to the Npower Champions play-off final last season, has been subject of much speculation surrounding his future this summer.

And despite West Ham reportedly having a bid of around £8 million rejected, Reading appear to have accepted a bid from West Brom of around £6 million, with Newcastle also denied in the race for the forward.

 

Reading maintained from early on in negotiations that they would refuse to sell Long to another Championship rivals, meant Newcastle and West Brom, who both finished in the bottom half of the Premier League last season, were favourites over West Ham to sign the 24-year-old.

Newcastle were expected to lodge a substantial bid for Long, with plenty of the money they earned from the sale of Andy Carroll still remming after their transfer dealings so far this summer failed to exceed £5 million.

West Brom will be licking their lips at the prospect of pairing Long with last season's top score Peter Odemwingie.

West Ham meanwhile have instead had to settle for the signing of John Carew, while they have been able to keep hold of Carlton Cole and Frederic Piquionne this summer.