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West Brom accept Hull bid for Long

Long has scored three goals in 17 appearances for West Brom this season © Getty Images

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West Bromwich Albion have accepted an undisclosed bid from Hull City for striker Shane Long.

The 26-year-old has been given permission to open negotiations with the Tigers and is expected on Humberside for a medical after Albion claimed the Republic of Ireland international turned down a significant pay rise to remain at The Hawthorns.

Hull manager Steve Bruce came close to signing Long on the final day of the summer transfer window, only for a deal worth £6.5 million to collapse at the final hour because of Hull's desire to alter the structured payments of the deal.

Albion now expect to recoup £7 million for a player who is in the final year of his contract, despite the club having a 12-month extension option.

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Baggies sporting and technical director Richard Garlick held further talks with Hull on Wednesday and a fee was agreed later that night. Long is scheduled to sign what is expected to be a three-year deal in time for inclusion in Bruce's squad for the trip to face Norwich City on Saturday.

Garlick confirmed the agreement, telling Albion's official website: "We began talking to Shane about a new contract last spring and, during the ongoing negotiations, we made him two offers which would have significantly increased his salary.

"However, despite our best endeavours, Shane has declined to sign a new contract. Shane effectively only has 18 months left on his deal and with him no closer to accepting our terms and then Hull making an acceptable offer, we felt it was in the club's best interests to accept the bid."

Albion expect to receive five million pounds up front, which covers the fee they paid Reading for Long three seasons ago, while the remainder of the fee will be paid in add-ons.

The departure, however, leaves new Baggies head coach Pepe Mel searching for more striking options.

On-loan Matej Vydra is short of experience at the highest level, while Nicolas Anelka has failed to make an impact this season.

Markus Rosenberg is expected to leave The Hawthorns this month with Malmo interested in taking the former Werder Bremen striker, so Mel is keen to bring in another forward, either on loan or on a short-term deal.

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