Southampton and Italy striker Graziano Pellè. (Photo : Getty Images)
Everton is set to challenge fellow English Premier League squad Chelsea for the signature of Southampton striker Graziano Pellè this summer, according to recent rumors.
Caught Offside reported that the Toffees are the latest club to be "linked with a move" for the 30-year-old Italian goalscorer as newly-hired head coach Ronald Koeman wants a reunion with his Saints striker this time in Merseyside.
The Italy international was said to be one of the Dutch manager's first signings when he first held the reins in Southampton back in the summer of 2014.
Previous reports have emerged that Antonio Conte and Chelsea are making Pellè their £12 million "plan B" in this summer's transfer window if in case they miss on priority signing Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid.
Conte, who had recently handled the 6-foot-4 San Cesario di Lecce, Italy native during the ongoing 2016 UEFA European Championship until the Italian national team was eliminated by reigning World Cup champions Germany in a heartbreaking penalty shootout loss in the tournament's quarterfinals last Saturday, is allegedly keen on snatching him but only if Morata would be unavailable.
Pellè still has one year remaining in his three-year, £8 million deal with the Saints but had expressed his desire to leave the St. Mary's Stadium this summer for undisclosed reasons, as per Daily Mail Online.
However, Southampton has reportedly set Pellè's buyout clause to £16 million and Everton is allegedly ready to meet that price as club majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri is said to be "prepared to bankroll Koeman's plans" to upgrade the squad's roster this offseason.
Pellè had just finished his second season with the Saints last term, scoring 11 points in 30 games in the English top flight competitions. Overall, he appeared in 37 games in all competitions and managed to net 14 goals in the process. In the past two years, he suited up in 81 games for Southampton and has scored 30 goals in total.
Aside from Pellè, the Everton manager is also targeting Wales' free agent striker Hal Robson-Kanu. The 27-year-old Welshman recently disclosed that he is receiving offers from "around the world" after his impressive stint in the 2016 Euros.
The Wales national squad is set to face Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal team in the semifinals of the said tournament.
