According to Italian source Calciomercato, West Ham have joined AC Milan, Everton and Besiktas in the race to sign Southampton striker Graziano Pelle this summer.
The striker netted for Italy as the beat Belgium 2-0 in their opening game at Euro 2016 and has been heavily linked with a move away from St. Mary’s.
Pelle scored 14 goals for Southampton last season in all competitions but his place in the team came under scrutiny and he was in-and-out of the starting line-up throughout the campaign.
Now, with manager Ronald Koeman having left to take charge at Everton, many of Southampton’s key players’ futures have been cast into doubt, including the Italian international Pelle.
Since joining the Saints two summers ago, Pelle has netted 30 times in 80 appearances, contributing a further 10 assists to the cause. Last season he helped them secure a Europa League spot with a sixth placed finish.
The soon to be 31-year-old’s value will likely only be on the decline from here on out so the Saints could cash-in to order to recruit a younger, hungrier striker.
West Ham are well-known to be in the forward market, however, Pelle doesn’t quite fit the 20-goal a season profile the Hammers are looking for.
Comments.
Loading comments…