Hull and his Mrs deny Shane Long move

Club say reports of deal wrong while striker’s wife insists he is happy to stay at West Brom

Hull City have denied reports that the club has agreed a fee for West Brom striker while the player’s wife, Kayleah, has insisted that the pair are going nowhere as the 26 year-old is happy at his current club and hoping that the option of a contract extension is taken up by his employers.

Long was close to signing for the Steve Bruce’s side on transfer deadline day in September, having travelled to the club’s training ground from Dublin in order to hold talks on personal terms and undergo a medical after an offer was accepted by West Brom.

The Ireland international never seemed entirely sold on the move himself, however, and in the end it collapsed when the midlands club pulled the plug after they failed to secure a loan deal for Chelsea's Romelu Lukaku.

Since then, Bruce has continued to monitor possible recruits, including Long, in the hope of strengthening his side's attack and having had a bid of around €8 million rejected last week for Sunderland's Steven Fletcher it was reported this morning that he had agreed a deal for the Irishman worth a little less than €5 million.

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Hull, however, have issued a statement today denying the reports and stating that: "it has not reached any agreement with West Bromwich Albion over the transfer of striker Shane Long, and as such will not be conducting a medical with the player today."

The player’s wife, meanwhile, who is expecting their second child, was even more emphatic on twitter this morning. “Not going anywhere!” she said. “Told Shane happy here & with baby on way it not worth the stress when still in contract! He agreed #happydays.”

Emmet Malone

Emmet Malone

Emmet Malone is Work Correspondent at The Irish Times