USA international Aaron Long is reportedly set to stay in MLS after leaving the New York Red Bulls despite recently being linked with a move to West Ham.
According to Pro Soccer Wire, the 30-year-old centre-back has three offers on the table from American clubs, two of which are believed to be the LA Galaxy and the Seattle Sounders. And it’s expected that Long will remain in MLS instead of opting to a move to the Premier League, where West Ham have been linked.
TeamTalk recently reported that the east London side the Irons were in the mix to sign Long as a free agent in January, with the defender’s contract with the Red Bulls set to come to an end on January 1st as AFC Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest are also watching the centre-back.
A part of Gree Berhalter’s USA team at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Long has long been viewed as one of the best defenders in MLS and a player who could had moved to Europe at several points in his career. Indeed, West Ham themselves have been linked with the centre-back for almost three years.
Yet it seems that Long has made the decision to remain in his home country, with offers from the Galaxy and the Sounders something that very few MLS players could reject, especially with West Ham yet to table a contract for the California-born titan.
However, all is not lost for West Ham. Whilst Long would have been a cheap signing in today’s market, the Irons are likely making the right decision in not moving for the 30-year-old defender, with David Moyes in need of a more younger centre-back option in the January window.
West Ham should already be looking at alternatives for Long
Long would have been an interesting option in the transfer market for West Ham, and whilst it’s difficult to see three years of scouting seemingly go to waste, the east London club should already be looking at alternatives to the Red Bulls star.
With a month to go until the opening of the January window, there’s still some time for the Hammers to find different options to Long, with West Ham supporters no doubt hopeful that Moyes can recruit a younger defender who has the potential to grow at the London Stadium.
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