Saints set to pay £12m for Ireland striker Long
The deal would see Hull pocket a ÂŁ4.5m profit on the ÂŁ7.5m they paid the Baggies for Long in January.
However the deal comes as a shock, as Long’s partnership with Nikica Jelavic helped fire the Tigers to Premier League safety even if the Irishman’s goal return was steady rather than spectacular, with four goals in 15 league games.
Speaking in April, Hull boss Steve Bruce hailed his striking duo, commenting: “You are only as good as your strikers, and with those two we’ve got as good as anyone else in the bottom half of the division.”
While Hull supporters will be shocked and saddened by Long’s exit, his signing represents rare positive transfer news for new Saints manager Ronald Koeman after a summer in which star names such as Rickie Lambert, Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana, Calum Chambers and Dejan Lovren have left.
Meanwhile, Liverpool were last night putting the finishing touches on a £12 million (€15m) move for Sevilla left-back Alberto Moreno.
The 22-year-old, who has been heavily linked with the Reds, was not named in Sevilla’s starting line-up or among their substitutes for last night’s Super Cup clash against La Liga rivals Real Madrid at Cardiff City Stadium.
Moreno came through his home-town club’s youth system, and he made his first-team debut just over two years ago.
He is currently on a long-term contract with Sevilla, and last night there was still no confirmation from the Spanish club about any departure.
Sevilla manager Unai Emery gave an abrupt response when asked about Moreno’s future at his pre-match press conference on Monday. “I expect him to play tomorrow,” was Emery’s sole comment.
Elsewhere, David Silva expects to be challenging for major honours at Manchester City for years to come after committing to the champions until 2019.
The Spanish playmaker has been one of the key performers in City’s new trophy-filled era, winning two Premier League titles and two domestic cups since his joining from Valencia in 2010.
With a new five-year contract now signed, Silva hopes to go on to win more silverware with a club whose ambitions seem limitless.
The 28-year-old said: “From the moment I joined the club four years ago, it has felt like a second home to me.
“On and off the pitch, I feel incredibly content and fulfilled professionally and personally, so why wouldn’t I want to stay and keep winning trophies with this fantastic team?
“Over the last four years, we have achieved so much together, establishing City as a dominating force in England and now, when I look around this dressing room, I can see no reason why we won’t become one of the top teams in the world.
“It was a straightforward decision to extend my stay here and spend my peak years at Manchester City.”
City have been forced to work within the constraints of a net ÂŁ49m cap on their transfer spending this summer as punishment for breaching the Financial Fair Play regulations of European governing body Uefa.
Silva’s new contract comes after Samir Nasri and Aleksandar Kolarov also agreed new terms.
The latest news also came a day after the club completed the ÂŁ32m signing of Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala.
Mangala joins former Porto team-mate Fernando, goalkeeper Willy Caballero, defender Bacary Sagna and midfielder Bruno Zuculini as new faces at City. England midfielder Frank Lampard, who is to join sister club New York City FC, has also agreed a loan move to the Etihad Stadium.
Across Manchester, it’s reported that Juventus have given United boss Louis van Gaal a deadline of Friday to decide whether to complete a £40m deal for Arturo Vidal.
Chilean media say United have until Friday to agree a deal for the midfielder or Juve will end allnegotiations.
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