Report: Southampton reject bid from Liverpool for Shane Long

This story won't go away.

Shane Long was linked with a move to Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur last week, when a report in the Irish Daily Star claimed both Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino were fans of the striker. The chances of Long leaving Southampton seemed to increase when the club announced the signing of Charlie Austin on Saturday morning. That was until Ronald Koeman said, following Saints 3-0 win over West Brom, that the club won't be selling any of their strikers. However, according to The Mirror, Liverpool have followed up their interest with a £8 million (€10.5 million) bid for the Republic of Ireland striker, only for the approach to be rejected by Southampton.Liverpool have been hit by injuries to strikers, and Long would suit the team's hard pressing style. The 29 year old joined Southampton from Hull City in August 2014 for £12 million, and has scored five goals in 13 Premier League games this season. However, it appears if Southampton are to sell a striker in this window, it'll be Graziano Pelle. The Italian has 18 months left on his current deal, and Saints are reportedly stalling on offering him a new deal.