Southampton bosses have allayed the fears of Saints fans by stating that Shane Long will not be leaving the club.
Reports today reveal that the club officials have no intention of selling the Tipperary star despite being linked with transfer moves to Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur. The Saints' recent signing of QPR's Charlie Austin amplified the speculation that Shane Long might be leaving, but those in the upper echelons of the club insist that this is not going to happen.
Southampon boss Ronald Koeman has since spoken out to assure fans that this new recruitment will not endanger Shane Long's place on the team.
Shane Long scored today pic.twitter.com/bgNpFBdILE
— Eoghan O'Sullivan (@OSEoghan) January 13, 2016
''Charlie Austin has not been signed to replace anyone. In the summer you never know what happens, but the message is consistent and clear. No player leaves in this transfer window.''
Koeman went on to talk about Southampton player Graziano Pelle who may be plotting a move back to Italy. Pelle, whose contract is due to expire in 2017, has suffered an ongoing dip in form since his £8m pound move from Fevenoord in summer of 2014.
Koeman confesses that the 30-year-old is considering his future:
“The situation of Graziano is a little bit different than other players because Graziano will be 31 and 32 at the end of next year and that’s difficult. It’s too early to conclude about his future. I know it’s left one season on the contract but it’s too early now to talk about his future.”
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