With the future of Graziano Pelle uncertain as he runs into the final year of his contract, Saints could be looking at one of his countrymen as a replacement.

The general view amongst Saints supporters is that Graziano Pelle will leave St Mary's in the summer for a return to his native Italy, if he does then he should do so with the gratitude of every Saints fans ringing in his ears for the work he has put in for this football club in his two seasons at St Marys.

If he does go though Saints are being rumoured to be looking at Juventus striker Simone Zaza to replace him.

West Ham are reported to be in the chase for the striker as well, however Saints should be in the driving seat as Juventus are one of the Italian clubs being linked with Zaza and a swap deal could be advantageous to both Saints and the Turin club.

As seems to be normal in Italy Zaza has flitted between clubs who seem to co own him at various times, but since last summer he has been a Juventus player outright, although they owned him briefly in 2013 before transferring some of him to Sassuolo, then selling their remaining share and bizarrely buying him back outright last summer.

But he hasn't been a first choice player in the past season and started only 5 games in Serie A plus 15 others coming on as sub, but he has an eye for goal scoring 5 times.

But he is keen to get more game time and it would suit both club and player to see a move happen.

Given that Juventus paid Sassuolo 18 million euros to buy him back a year ago he will not come cheap, but Saints could use Pelle as bait, I would say that his possible worth at the moment could be around £12 million and Saints would look for £5 million of that to be covered by Pelle's valuation n the deal.

Zaza is described as a strong left footed forward with an eye for goal and is able to play as an out and out central striker due to his aerial power or as a second striker .

He has played 9 times for his country and has been included in Italy's preliminary squad for the upcoming European Championships in France alongside Pelle.

He looks a good replacement for Pelle although the only drawback being would his situation be any better here than at Juventus given the forward options we have even without Pelle.

But with a Europa League campaign and Saints looking to continue their rise I would say he would be a good signing for the club should Pelle depart.

Photo: Action Images

SaintBrock added 10:54 - May 24 Seems illogical to me. Let's just keep Pelle.
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ItalianSharpey added 11:13 - May 24 I live in Italy and have seen Zaza play alot and he would be quality as a replacement for Pelle who, whilst I will be sorry to see him go, would be well replaced by Zaza. I tghink he would actually also complement our attacking possibilties at the moment as well.
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SaintNick added 12:04 - May 24 The logical thing about it saintbrock is that Pelle is about to turn 31 and will have little resale value after the next coming season and Zaha is only 24, this is the sort of thing tat saints have to do and keep doing
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