West Ham-linked free agent Pelle agrees to join Parma – reports
West Ham won’t be signing free agent Graziano Pelle as the striker has reportedly agreed a six month deal with Italian club Parma.
Tutto Mercato Web reported at the beginning of the January transfer window that the Hammers were interested in taking Pelle on a free transfer to bolster their centre-forward options. The 35-year-old became available after his £260,000-a-week contract with Chinese club Shandong Luneng expired.
West Ham can still sign free agents but they won’t be signing Pelle as, according to Sky Italia, he’s opted to join his former side Parma, who are in a relegation battle in Serie A.
Pelle played for Southampton in the Premier League before heading for China in 2016. He scored 11 times and assisted six in his last season, as well as two goals in the Europa League.
After four years, he scored a total of 52 goals and got 15 assists in the Chinese Super League. It would have been a good back-up signing for Michail Antonio should he have dropped his wage demands.
Let’s hope we don’t come unstuck
The Italian was one of several strikers the Hammers were linked with in January. Record signing Sebastian Haller left the club for Ajax, for less than half the £45million fee paid 18 months ago.
David Moyes opted to save money and invest smartly in the summer rather than rush another striker though the door.
Whilst, yes, it is reassuring to hear the boss speak about sensible spending, a backup striker would have been good business.
We’re now facing the prospect of four months of top-flight football with just the one recognised striker in Antonio.
With Pelle now off the market, that’s one less man we can turn to should the worst happen and Antonio picks up an injury. It would be a shame to undo all our fantastic work thus far this season by not bringing in a replacement for Haller.
That said, in Moyes we trust. The boss is doing fantastic things at the club this season and has the full backing of the fanbase.
We’re just hoping this one doesn’t come back to bite us.
In other West Ham news, Paul Merson has praised the loan signing of Jesse Lingard.