It’s been a disappointing summer so far for all associated with Leeds United Football Club, with moves for several major transfer targets failing to materialise for a host of reasons.
News on the transfer front has improved somewhat recently, with Jamal Blackman joining the Whites on loan from Premier League giants Chelsea this week and the club also agreeing on a fee in the region of £2.75 million for Brentford’s mercurial winger Florian Jozefzoon, albeit with fierce competition from Derby.
The search still continues for an out-and-out striker though, with deals for Matej Vydra and Abel Hernandez falling flat, Jonathan Kodjia speculation dying down and talks with Jordan Hugill dragging on and on.
Leeds United should instead switch their attention to a move for Southampton striker Shane Long, who has recently found himself out of favour at St Mary’s and won’t play a large part in the Saints’ plans next season.
The 31-year-old has been capped 81 times by the Republic of Ireland and while his Premier League goalscoring record has been modest, to say the least, barring one ten-goal haul in 2015-16, but there’s no reason why Long can’t cut it at Championship level.
A fans favourite at Reading, Long came within 90 minutes of firing Reading into the Premier League as the Championship’s top scorer in 2011 after notching 21 goals in 44 appearances for Brian McDermott’s side.
Since then the poacher has played for West Bromwich Albion, Hull City and Southampton, but will likely drop down to Championship level soon and Leeds could be the perfect destination.
