Graziano Pelle is set to swap Southampton for China in a £13million deal, Press Association Sport reported yesterday.

Following an impressive Euro 2016, the Italy striker had been linked with a move to join outgoing Azzurri manager Antonio Conte at Chelsea.

Pelle is set to leave St Mary’s this summer but Press Association Sport said the 30-year-old will be heading to the Far East rather than west London.

Chinese Super League side Shandong Luneng is believed to be the destination in a deal worth £13 million – a profit of around £4 million on a player signed from Feyenoord two years ago.

Pelle, who turns 31 next week, only has a year remaining on his Southampton deal and the Premier League club were believed to have been reluctant to offer an extension.

The forward is understood to have been eyeing a move to China since January.

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