Shane Long
Reuters

Tottenham Hotspur are considering a move in signing West Bromwich Albion striker Shane Long when the transfer window opens in January, according to the Mirror.

The 26-year-old's contract at the Hawthorns runs out at the end of the season and would be a free agent in the summer. The Republic of Ireland International has featured in 14 league appearances this season, scoring three goals and managing one assist in the process.

The north London side have the services of summer signing Roberto Soldado, Emmanuel Adebayor and Jermain Defoe as the first choice strikers in the squad. However, the future of the England international at White Hart Lane remains uncertain as he is linked with a move away from the club in January.

Defore has started in three league games this season and the arrival of Soldado has seen him lose his place in the starting lineup. The lack of playing time in the league has left the striker frustrated, despite his impressive run in the European competition.

The report claims that Defoe is likely to complete a £6m switch to Major League Soccer in the mid-season transfer window. The Spurs have spent over £100m in the summer and their chairman Daniel Levy is keen to offload few of the first team players, before bringing new faces in January.

The Spurs sacked Andre Villas-Boas after their 5-0 home defeat to Liverpool, with Tim Sherwood replacing the Portuguese manager at the club. The Mirror claims that Levy has informed the newly appointed manager that he would not be given funds to spend heavily in January.

A move away from the north London club in January is likely to see the England striker gain more playing time, which is likely to boost his chances of making it to the national squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The situation could force the Spurs to enter the market in search of a striker and Sherwood has identified West Brom striker as a replacement for Defoe as a backup option. Long is believed to be available for a fee of £4m and the Baggies are likely to capitalise on the sale of their striker in January, who will be available for free after the end of the season.