by retro royal »
27 Jun 2011 06:59
SUNDERLAND are reportedly preparing a £7m bid for Ireland striker Shane Long.
The Black Cats face stiff competition from Wolves, Everton and Newcastle, but their ability to increase his wages to £40,000 a week could trump their rivals.
Sunderland want to make the Tipperary native their first-choice striker after Darren Bent's January exit.
Kevin Doyle, meanwhile, is being heavily linked with a move to the Emirates with long-term fan Arsene Wenger prepared to offer Wolves £9.5m for the Wexford man.
Wolves are thought to want £13m and have offered Doyle an improved deal to try and keep their key forward at Molineux.
Another Ireland striker who could be on the move is Noel Hunt, with West Ham ready to offer £1.75m to Reading for the Waterford native.
The former Shamrock Rovers man scored 10 league goals for Reading last season.Shay Given is attracting interest from Aston Villa, West Brom and Celtic, while Ipswich look set to improve their offer to Preston for Sean St Ledger
source
http://www.independent.ie