Reading FC close in on 88-cap former international

Championship outfit Reading are closing in on the signing of former striker Shane Long, according to a Twitter update from journalist Courtney Friday.

The Irishman left Premier League side Southampton yesterday following the expiration of his contract at St Mary’s, leaving the experienced striker free to officially link up with another club.

Long was well within his rights to engage with clubs before then but he wasn’t heavily linked with a move elsewhere, until yesterday with the Royals’ Head of Football Operations Mark Bowen admitting he was interested in bringing the 35-year-old back to the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

And it looks as though he has got his man, with talks described by reporter Friday as being “positive”, with a one-year deal thought to be on the table for the ex-Saint.

As well as this, The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell has labelled the Berkshire outfit as a “likely” next destination for the former Republic of Ireland international, who looks set to return to his former side after an 11-year absence.

The Royals are in desperate need of recruiting in this area with both of their existing senior options in Lucas Joao and George Puscas being linked with moves away from the club in recent months, with the latter’s future particularly uncertain.

The Verdict:

Considering they need to address other areas too, the fact they haven’t brought in another loanee yet is a promising sign and to bring someone like Long in on a free transfer is a reasonably small gamble.

He may not be the player he once was, with his scoring record in recent years not exactly where he would want it to be, but he could potentially get in and amongst the goals a lot more if he takes this step down to the second tier.

The 35-year-old is also