West Ham United drop pursuit of ‘too expensive’ Shane Long

Sam Allardyce’s West Ham United have pulled out of the running for Shane Long, citing the £8-10m quoted as too expensive.

The Hammers had previously made two rejected bids for the Reading striker, including a recent £7m offer.

On the day that the Championship newcomers have dropped their pursuit of the Irish international, reports emerged this morning that Sven Goran Eriksson’s Leicester City have entered the race for the 24-year-old.

Long’s potential suitors now include West Bromwich Albion, Celtic, Sven’s side and perhaps most surprisingly, Liverpool, who apparently scouted the striker as he struck a brace in a recent club friendly against Northampton.

"He is one on the list but he may end up in the Premier League this season, so it will be difficult, but he is one we have worked with," Sven had told Sky Sports on his challenge to bring the striker to Leicester.

With West Ham United out of the race and considering his potential price tag, Long’s future may now lie in the Premier League. The player scored on 44 occasions for Reading in 94 appearences, including 25 goals in all competitions last season, so he is unsurprisingly in high demand.