Hull City Transfer News: Shane Long To Sign Before Window Shuts?

ITV News). The 26-year-old has reportedly been granted permission to take leave of the Republic of Ireland squad this evening and return to England as speculation grows of a potential move to the KC Stadium. ITV News reports that Brom have given Long permission to hold talks with Steve Bruce's newly promoted side over a switch. Long recently spoke of the speculation surrounding his future, which is currently undecided with just one year left of his current deal and the option to sign for an extra 12 months. Speaking to the Birmingham Mail, the former Reading man remarked:

"We're still in talks. I have a year and an option left. "I am looking forward to playing with West Brom and we'll see how talks go. I'm not anxious - I'm still a West Bromwich Albion player. "It's up to club and agents to sort out anything else. I want to concentrate on my football."

Shane Long did start yesterday's 0-2 defeat at home to Swansea and the Albion number 9 has been a regular fixture for the club since he moved from Reading. However with manager Steve Clarke bringing in Nicolas Anelka in the summer and the uncertainty over Long's contract, the Albion look to have decided that it was better to sell him now before losing him potentially for free next summer. More info on this as it develops.