West Ham increase their bid for Reading striker Shane Long

West Ham United have returned to Reading with an improved bid for Shane Long after their initial offer was rejected. It is understood that Reading are looking for a minimum guaranteed payment of £7m for the 24-year-old striker, which is more than West Ham are willing to hand over for a player who has only one year remaining on his contract. West Ham are, however, determined to sign Long and have gone back to Reading with a new offer that would see them pay a more significant chunk of their £8m valuation of the striker up front, the remainder to follow in add-ons. It remains to be seen whether Long and Reading will hold out for a potentially better offer from a Premier League club; West Bromwich Albion are among those interested in signing the Republic of Ireland international.