Sheffield United are considering an impressive loan move for Southampton striker Shane Long, according to Football Insider.
Sheffield United manager is looking to bolster his options in the January transfer window, as he looks to help fire The Blades to promotion up to the Premier League. Wilder is looking for another striker to arrive at Bramall Lane, and is looking at an ambitious loan move for Southampton’s Irish striker Shane Long.
Loaned in attacker Ben Woodburn looks set to parent club Liverpool in January, with the Premier League side keen to exercise a return option for Welshman. Woodburn has failed to make his mark during his time in the Championship, struggling to break into the match day squad, let alone the starting eleven.
Wilder will be hoping he can bring in Long – a player he has been keen on for some time – to maintain his side’s promotion push. Sheffield United currently sit in fifth, three points away from the automatic promotion spots with the chase for Premier League football continues to hot up.
Long has struggled to make an impact under Southampton manager Mark Hughes, becoming fourth choice striker behind Danny Ings, Charlie Austin and Manolo Gabbiadini. The Irishman has made just five starts in the Premier League this season, also coming off the bench on four occasions. He hasn’t picked a single goal yet though.
The Saints currently sit in 18th place in the Premier League, with just one win under Mark Hughes since he took over in March this year. Pressure is building on Hughes, however, potentially opening the door for a new manager to come in and shake this up at St Mary’s. The arrival of a new manager could put Sheffield United’s move for Long in jeopardy, providing the striker with a fresh shot at rejuvenating his Southampton career under new management.
