West Ham United want former Southampton star Pelle

Bengaluru, January 30: West Ham United are weighing up a last-ditch attemt to sign former Southampton striker Graziano Pelle from Chinese side Shandong Luneng to solve their attacking and injury issues, according to reports.

West Ham have been on the look out for an attacker in the market for since the last two months and now they seemed to be more hungry in acquiring creative players after three of their main lead players suffered injury issues.

Star player Marko Arnautovic who has registered an impressive six goals and assisted a further three in last 10 games from Hammers suffered a hamstring injury in their last game against Bournemouth which now will make him unavailable for at least three weeks.

Along with him another star playmaker Lanzini also suffered a hamstring injury and has been ruled out up to six weeks while first choice striker Andy Carrol also endured a foot injury which might see his season over as he has been ruled out for up to three months.

This has prompted David Moyes to look for options in the market and now as per reports, Moyes has now targetted the former Southampton striker Graziano Pelle from Chinese side Shandong Luneng for a cut price deal of £9million.

Pelle impressed for Southampton over two years, scoring 30 goals in his two full Premier League seasons.

However, the deal has reportedly suffered a stumbling block due to a potential cut in wages. The Italian international reportedly earns a staggering £1m a month in the Chinese Super League but West Ham obviously cannot match the same amount.

However, with Pelle's contract set to expire in December of this year and Pelle having a difficult time at far east, scoring just 12 goals during his 18-month spell the Chinese side are apparently ready to sell him.

The Italy international also apparently eager for a return to Europe and should both he and the Hammers agreed on terms, he would be reunited with former Southampton teammate Jose Fonte and would become West Ham’s second signing of the month following Joao Mario’s loan move from Inter Milan.