---
title: "Southampton: Shane Long expected to leave this summer"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/southampton-saints-shane-long-st-marys-stadium-bournemouth/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "jonathan radcliffe"
section: "Premier League"
published: "2021-04-26T11:20:51Z"
modified: "2021-04-26T11:20:51Z"
---

# Southampton: Shane Long expected to leave this summer

**According to [The Athletic](https://theathletic.co.uk/2538240/2021/04/25/southampton-need-a-squad-re-vamp-will-bertrand-vestergaard-and-ings-be-part-of-it/), Southampton are set to sell Shane Long this summer.**

### **Long set to leave**

The Republic of Ireland striker has been at St Mary’s since 2014, but he joined fellow south coast club Bournemouth on loan during the January transfer window.

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According to this latest report, the veteran marksman is set to leave Southampton on a permanent basis in the summer.

### **Unsurprising**

This news should not come as too much of a surprise. Although Ralph Hasenhuttl called the Republic of Ireland international “really important” last term ([Daily Mail](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7899801/Southampton-boss-Ralph-Hasenhuttl-heaps-praise-really-important-Shane-Long.html)), he failed to score in 14 matches in all competitions during the first half of this campaign ([Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/shane-long/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/37304)).

Long [offers plenty of endeavour](https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/southampton-boss-ralph-hasenhuttl-hails-shane-longs-work-rate-38870388.html) even if he is not able to find the back of the net on a regular basis, but [35](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/shane-long/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/37304) goals in 226 games for a Premier League side is clearly not good enough.

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At 34 years of age, he is fast approaching the end of his career – for all involved, it would make plenty of sense for him to leave on a permanent transfer. Hasenhuttl and co, at least, will no doubt wish him all the best wherever he ends up if he is sold in a couple of months’ time.

***In other news, [many Southampton fans react to this transfer rumour.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/southampton-fc-transfer-rumours/southampton-saints-jannik-vestergaard-roma-juventus-tottenham/)***