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Blow for Everton in striker hunt

Pelle set for lucrative move to China

Graziano Pelle - set for move to China
Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images

Everton could be set to miss out on Graziano Pelle with the striker reportedly close to a move to China.

Ronald Koeman was believed to be keen on re-signing Pelle, who he worked with both at Southampton and Feyenoord.

Reports earlier this week claimed the Toffees had opened preliminary talks with Southampton over a deal to sign the Italian international, with a fee in the region of £16m mooted.

However, Press Association journalist Simon Peach claims Pelle is set to become the latest big money import in China.

Shandong Luneng Taishan are reportedly ready to offer £13million for the 30-year-old and offer the striker significant wages.

Chinese Super League sides have an almost unlimited budget as the government seek to grow the country into a footballing force.

Even with Farhad Moshiri’s riches behind them Everton would be reluctant to enter a bidding war for a player of Pelle’s age who will have minimal sell-on value.

It looks like Pelle is a name to scratch off Everton’s summer wanted list.