According to reports from The Express, Chelsea are interested in Manchester United target and Southampton striker Graziano Pelle.
The towering target man has proved a shrewd acquisition since moving to St. Mary’s in an £8million deal two summers ago. He’s gone on to claim 18 goals in 49 Premier League appearances, whilst his hold-up play has been vital to the meteoric rise of £40million-rated attacking accomplice Sadio Mane.
That impressive form has seen the 30-year-old muscle his way into the Italy national team, picking up four goals and ten caps since his October 2014 debut, and attract interest from some of England’s bigger clubs.
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Indeed, The Express claim Pelle is on Manchester United’s radar ahead of the January transfer window as Louis van Gaal searches for added firepower. The Red Devils have scored the fewest goals of any side in the Premier League’s top six this season, with strikeforce Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial netting just five times between them.
But citing Italian outlet CalcioNews24, The Express also report that Chelsea have taken an interest in the 6 foot 4 centre-forward, viewing him as a January signing who could turn their horrendous season around.
However, Southampton boss Ronald Koeman has insisted on several occasions that none of his players will be sold in January. “We sell nobody in January. Nobody – not even if they pay £100m,” he told reporters earlier this month.