West Ham reportedly eyeing former Premier League striker Graziano Pelle

Add as preferred source on Google

West Ham United are reportedly keen to swoop for former Southampton striker Graziano Pelle on a free transfer in January.

TMW report that the Hammers are in the mix to land the 35-year-old, who has been plying his trade at Chinese club Shandong Luneng for the past few years.

The club are bidding farewell to the Italian – who was reported to be earning around £260,000-a-week (Daily Mail) – whose contract expires today, and he’ll be on the lookout for a new club.

It is claimed that Juventus and Inter Milan are also keen on the star.

West Ham are currently short in the strikers department, with Sebastien Haller and Michail Antonio the options for David Moyes.

Antonio isn’t a natural centre-forward although he does a greta job, but his injury record is a little concerning, so the Irons could do with reinforcements going forwards.

TBR’s View – Pelle would be an underwhelming addition

He was a real handful at times playing for Southampton, but that was a long time ago now.

The fact Pelle has been playing in the Chinese Super League for the past few years would be a worry, as the standard is considerably lower than that of the Premier League.

He may have scored 23 goals in the English top-flight, but one gets the feeling this would be a lazy signing by Moyes, who reportedly wanted the player during his first stint at the club (Daily Mail).

They already have two physical strikers, and maybe Moyes should be looking to bring in someone with a bit more technical quality and speed.