Saints set to pay £12m for Ireland striker Long

Republic of Ireland striker Shane Long looks set for a surprise move £12 million (€15m) to Southampton — just seven months after joining Hull City from West Brom.

The deal would see Hull pocket a £4.5m profit on the £7.5m 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.