Southampton 'reject Liverpool's £8million bid' for Shane Long
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Southampton 'reject Liverpool's £8million bid' for Shane Long

SOUTHAMPTON have rejected an £8million bid by Liverpool for striker Shane Long, according to reports.

Jurgen Klopp, who had hoped to boost his injury-plagued squad with the arrival of the Irish international, may now have to look elsewhere.

Over the weekend, Saints bought Charlie Austin from QPR for £4million on a four-and-a-half year contract, but The Mirror reports that the club remain committed to keeping Long, who has scored seven goals this season.

In previous years, several Southampton players have moved over to the Merseyside club, including Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren and Nathaniel Clyne.

Following Austin’s signing, Saints chairman Ralph Krueger said: “Players coming in and out of here in the last two weeks of the transfer window is not in the plan.

“I would never say never on either direction because it’s the nature of the sport; you don’t know what opportunities present themselves.

“At the moment we are pleased with the depth and Ronald has shown we have different line-ups. Ideally would be to keep all those names in the line-up.”