Hull lodge bid for Shane Long - report

Hull City have reportedly lodged a bid for Irish international Shane Long.

The Birmingham Mail report that the Tigers have offered £6m for the 26-year-old, while they have also agreed a fee with Everton for striker Nikica Jelavic.

Steve Bruce has made no secret of his desire to add firepower to his squad and has met Everton’s valuation of Croatia international Jelavic – with an offer thought to be in excess of the club record £5.25mi paid for Tom Huddlestone in the summer.

But, if Bruce has his way, Republic of Ireland international Long could also be vying for selection at the KC Stadium.

Long was minutes away from joining Hull on deadline day in September, flying to the training ground in a specially convened private jet, only for West Brom to pull out of the deal late in the day when their own pursuit of Lukaku fell through.

Bruce has continued to keep tabs on the 26-year-old during a season that has seen him come in and out of the Baggies side, but on Thursday denied newspaper reports that a fee had been agreed and a medical scheduled.

”First and foremost I really want to try and apologise to West Brom as a club, nothing has come from us. We haven’t made a bid for any player,“ Bruce said at the time.

Bruce is still keen to bring the player to the KC Stadium, though, but Hull sources were unable to confirm whether an offer had been lodged when contacted on Friday night.

Although out of contract in the summer, Long would be expected to fetch a similar fee to Jelavic, meaning Bruce and owner Assem Allam are prepared to break the Tigers’ transfer record twice in the current window.

Long’s wife Kayleah was in the spotlight earlier this week when she appeared to suggest Long would not be leaving the midlands, writing on Twitter: ”Not going anywhere! Told Shane happy here & with baby on way it not worth the stress when still in contract! He agreed?? £happydays.”

That has not deterred Bruce, who believes he can persuade Long and Jelavic to join a side who have defied expectations to lie 10th in the Barclays Premier League table heading into the weekend fixtures.