Southampton are in talks with Barcelona over signing Paco Alcacer – which could be bad news for West Ham’s summer target Shane Long.
Shane Long certainly looked like a striker who hadn’t scored in 25 games for club and country during Southampton’s 2-2 draw with Newcastle United at St Mary’s on Sunday.
The Republic of Ireland international, who has not hit the back of the net since February, may have teased a penalty out of Magpies defender Florian Lejeune which allowed Manolo Gabbiadini to level the scores from the spot but his lack of confidence in front of goal was clear for all to see.
Perhaps Long just needs a fresh start. And, if Southampton manage to lure Paco Alcacer to the South Coast in January, the 30-year-old should be given the chance to rediscover his form elsewhere.
The Mirror reports that Southampton’s former Alaves boss has held talks with Barcelona over signing the Spanish international centre-forward, who has barely played for the Catalan giants since arriving from Valencia for £26 million in the summer of 2016.
Alcacer is a natural-born goal-poacher who averaged almost one-in-two during his final two years at Valencia. Therefore, he could be the natural-born goalscorer that an often blunt Southampton side are crying out for.
Long shot
If Alcacer arrives, however, that could push Long down to fourth choice in the pecking order – behind Gabbiadini and a fit-again Charlie Austin.
Whether West Ham would be willing to rekindle their interest given Long’s struggles in front of goal, however, remains to be seen. The Standard reported in May that The Hammers wanted to sign the energetic frontman to add more pace in their attack.
And while Javier Hernandez arrived to provide speed of thought and foot, Long’s versatility could make him a useful addition either through the middle or out wide – especially with Marko Arnautovic and Michail Antonio struggling for consistent form in 2017/18.
A fresh start could do Long some good after stagnating on the South Coast. That’s if West Ham are willing to overlook his ongoing goal drought.
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