West Ham return with improved Long bid

A day after West Ham United launched a rejected £8m bid (£5m up-front) for Reading striker and Irish international Shane Long, the Hammers have returned with an improved offer.

According to The Guardian, Reading rejected the opening bid as they are looking for a minimum guaranteed payment of £7m for the 24-year-old striker, who hit the net on 24 occasions in all competitions last season.

The Hammers are now believed to have returned with a second bid for the Tipperary man, one which includes a much greater initial guaranteed payment, in order to secure their man. Whether or not Long will jump at the chance to remain in the Championship is another question altogether.

The Guardian also claim that West Bromwich Albion are keen on the player and could offer him the Premier League football he agonisingly missed out on in this year’s Championship play-off Final.

Long hit a brace in a weekend friendly against Northampton and according to the Daily Mail, scouts from Anfield were in the stands to watch the Irish international’s star performance.

Hmm... West Ham or Liverpool? The choice is pretty obvious.

Link: Liverpool rivals Hammers in race for £10m-rated Long