Premier League Giants Chelsea could face tough competition from Chinese Super League clubs in the race for securing the services of Italian striker Graziano Pelle.
Recent reports suggest that the CSL clubs are keen on signing Pelle this summer and are ready to exert their financial domination once again after breaking the Premier League transfer record in January.
Yahoo Sport exclusive: #CFC lead hunt for Pelle & #SaintsFC are looking to sell – https://t.co/wMlBcy2MuU pic.twitter.com/HdNE5lQmPf
— Yahoo Sport UK (@YahooSportUK) July 4, 2016
Foottheball sources confirm that incoming Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is desperate to sign Pelle from Southampton this summer. The pair share a good equation from the past as Pelle made his International debut for Italy under the mentorship of Antonio Conte in 2014. Reports confirm that Conte is interested in pairing up with the 30-year-old striker once again.
However recent reports in the Daily Star has confirmed that Chinese Super League Club Shanghai Greenland Shenhua are all geared up to launch a tempting bid for securing the signature of the veteran striker who will be 31 this summer.
Foottheball sources also confirm that former Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has showed interest in Pelle and would like to convince him to join him at Everton this summer. Ronald Koeman had coached Pelle at St Marys and is well aware of his tactical abilities up front.
Everton boss Ronald Koeman eyes reunion with Graziano Pelle and is considering move for Wales hero Hal Robson-Kanu https://t.co/h0lazqeyvF
— MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) July 4, 2016
Pelle’s current contract at Southampton expires in 2017 and the club has made it clear that they are not interested in offering him a contract extension this summer. Such a situation seems to favour both Antonio Conte and Ronald Koeman, but they could face a tough challenge from Shanghai Greenland Shenhua as they intend to lure Pelle away to China to join the likes of Fredy Guarin and Demba Ba, banking on their financial power.
Foottheball understands that Southampton would look to sell Pelle for a fee in the region of £20m. Such a situation would favour Shanghai as they have the resources to match the required amount. On the contrary, Chelsea and Everton would be reluctant to pay £20m for a striker who will turn 31 next month.
Chelsea have already signed Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi for £33m and fresh reports claim that Diego Costa has agreed to stay at the club. Thus it would be interesting to see if Conte continues to push for bringing in Pelle into the squad or shifts his focus on someone else.