Shane Long was 'sold' before I arrived, says West Brom boss Pepe Mel
Albion boss Pepe Mel today insisted he had no say in the sale of Shane Long as the Baggies prepared to face their former record signing tomorrow.
Mel said Long's big-money move to Hull was a 'done deal' before the Spaniard took charge with the Ireland international completing the switch the day after Mel was unveiled to the media.
Long will line up against his former club for Hull tomorrow with Mel adamant he never had the option of calling off the transfer, which brought criticism from supporters and pundits but could net the club up to £7m.
Albion opted to sell Long after failing to agree a contract extension with the former Reading man.
"I was told there was an important amount of money about to be paid by Hull," said Mel.
"And I was told, basically, it was a good decision for the club. I went along with decision the club had made regarding his sale.
"Before I arrived here Shane Long was out. It was not my problem."
Mel admitted he would like Long in his squad and hinted the Baggies might have reconsidered the transfer had they known they would lose Nicolas Anelka.
The Frenchman, who was sacked by the club last week, performed his controversial quenelle celebration three weeks before Long's exit, triggering an immediate FA investigation and speculation over a lengthy ban, but he was not charged until three days after Long was sold.
Asked whether he would like Long available, Mel said: "Of course. And (Romelu) Lukaku too. But it's not possible.
"When the decision was made we knew nothing about the Anelka situation. That was a complete surprise. It took everyone by surprise.
"It was completely unpredicted. We did not know that was going to happen so we could not plan for it.
"But right now we have other players such as Victor Anichebe, Matej Vydra, Thievy and Saido Berahino, who are very good players that will came up for that loss.
"The final act of Anelka was completely unpredicted – we did not know that would happen.
"When I first arrived here Shane was no longer a player here. It was not up to me to make that decision."
