Graziano Pelle to Chelsea: Antonio Conte wants Italian after being priced out of Alvaro Morata and Romelu Lukaku deals

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Simon Johnson4 July 2016

Antonio Conte wants Graziano Pelle to join him at Chelsea after the striker starred for him at Euro 2016.

Pelle is entering the final year of his contract at Southampton and the club are prepared to let him go.

That has alerted new Chelsea boss Conte, whose reign as Italy manager ended following the team’s exit on penalties to Germany on Saturday night.

Pelle was among those to miss in the shoot-out in Bordeaux but had an excellent tournament, scoring in the impressive victories over Belgium and Spain.

Chelsea played with one up front last season but Conte favours two in attack as he had at the Euros using Pelle in tandem with Eder.

The former Juventus boss believes Pelle is a strong third candidate to compete with Diego Costa and Batshuayi for the two front places.

Pelle is a big admirer of Conte and before the quarter-final with Germany said: “Conte prepares the game well and is working hard — it’s difficult to explain just how good he is.

“He works very simply, he doesn’t complicate things. He’s been a footballer so knows how to explain parts of the game and he is realistic.”

Southampton have already cashed in on two of their players this summer, selling Sadio Mane to Liverpool for a deal worth up to £38.5m and Victor Wanyama, who was in the last year of his contract, to Tottenham for £11m.

Italy's forward Pelle celebrates a goal during the Euro 2016 round of 16 football match between Italy and Spain Photo: Miguel Medina/AFP/Getty
MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP/Getty Images

However, the Saints are ready to listen to offers for Pelle, having bought striker Charlie Austin from QPR in January.

It has been reported that Southampton could get anything between £10m and £20m for Pelle although that will depend on how much competition there is with expected interest from clubs in Italy.

Chelsea turned to Pelle after other targets appeared to be priced out of reach with Everton valuing Romelu Lukaku at £65m.

Real Madrid are demanding £57m for Alvaro Morata after the Spain striker scored three goals at the Euros but Chelsea had hoped to buy him for around £40m.

Chelsea will only re-open their interest in Morata or Lukaku, if Costa leaves this summer. The striker has been keen to return to Atletico Madrid but the club are anxious to keep him.

The arrival of Batshuayi was the first piece of business for the Blues this summer and they beat Tottenham, West Ham and Crystal Palace to sign him on a five-year deal.

Batshuayi revealed how Chelsea’s Belgium contingent helped persuade him to move. He said: “I am delighted to sign for one of the biggest clubs in Europe and embark on the next chapter in my career. I hope I can help Chelsea win many trophies.

“Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois have told me many good things about the club, and with Antonio Conte coming in it’s an exciting time to become a Chelsea player. This is a fantastic opportunity for myself and my family, I am looking forward to playing in the Premier League next season.”

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