WEST HAM are considering signing Graziano Pelle on a free transfer, according to reports.
The former Southampton striker is up for grabs after leaving Chinese side Shandong Luneng.
West Ham are considering a move for Graziano PelleCredit: Alamy Live News
The former Southampton man has left Shandong LunengCredit: Alamy Live News
And the Hammers may move for the 35-year-old if they fail to land No 1 target Josh King from Bournemouth, according to the Star.
The Irons had a £13m King bid rejected by the Cherries in October and instead opted to sign Said Benrahma on loan from Brentford.
West Ham boss David Moyes is understood to have wanted King ahead of Benrahma with his side short of options up front.
And despite King being desperate to make the London Stadium switch, only Algerian Benrahma arrived.
King, 28, is out of contract at the end of the season but Bournemouth are determined not to let him go on the cheap in January.
As a result, the Hammers are drawing up a contingency list – which includes Pelle – in case the Cherries’ demands are too high.
Italian Pelle left Chinese Super League side Luneng earlier this week when his contract expired.
He joined them in 2016 from Southampton and has scored 30 goals in 81 appearances since.
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However, the Hammers face competition from teams in Italy as Pelle is said to prefer a move back to his homeland.
West Ham are desperate for a striker this window with star forward Michail Antonio’s hamstrings hard to rely on.
And club record £45m signing Sebastien Haller failed to deliver in Antonio’s absence.
Antonio has missed nine of the Hammers’ last 12 games with a hamstring injury after bagging three goals in their first five Premier League games this season.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
