West Ham United have moved to trump Premier League rivals for Reading striker Shane Long.
The Guardian says the Hammers have made a £8m bid for the highly rated Reading striker.
Roy Hodgson, the West Bromwich Albion manager, is an admirer of Long and would like to add him to his squad but the Midlands club have failed to turn their interest in the Republic of Ireland international into a concrete bid.
Several other Premier League clubs, including Newcastle United, are also tracking Long, who scored 21 goals in the Championship last season.
It is understood that West Ham's offer values Long at about £5m, with the remaining £3m to follow in add-ons.
