You know when the media has lost the plot when they start putting out stories of the nature of the latest transfer rumours about Pelle.
Let's get the first thing straight, I like Graziano Pelle as a player, I would go slightly further than that, I almost love him !
Since his arrival two summers ago to fill the boots of Rickie Lambert he has fulfilled that task very well and has proved a bargain signing for £8 million pounds starting 60 Premier League games plus a further 8 off the bench and scoring 23 goals in that time, none being penalties of free kicks.
Despite the criticism of some sections of the Saints support he has been excellent, but every player has his value to the team and in Saints strategy he is at time in his career where the club has to consider it's options.
That strategy says that whn a player reaches a certain age, his re slae value starts to drop and you have to look at moving the player on.
That was the case when Pelle arrived, we got £3.5 million for Rickie Lambert who at 32 was at that critical point and bought in Pelle a younger version with Lambert's sale to Liverpool funding half of his transfer fee.
Now comes the time to consider the same with Pelle, he will turn 32 next month and is said to be considering his options and so are Saints, although the club would like to see him stay he is entering the last year of his contract and he needs to sign an extension or move on.
Moving on seems to be a real attraction when you read the transfer fee that the media are quoting he will leave for.
Starting bid seems to be from Juventus who according to reports are willing to pay nine million for his services, that is in Euros and not pounds, but its still around £7.25 million and that is very good money.
The English media are also on the case, they are saying that Everton and Stoke are keen on the Italian, they are quoting a potential transfer fee in pounds and their headlines scream £9 million, a fee that Saints would surely snatch their hands off if offered.
Everton don't have a manager at present, so they have either gone mad or are acting on the instructions of Ronald Koeman, either way it is hardly an incoming transfer that will excite the Goodion faithful, indeed with Moshiri making a statement about is arrival at Everton with the transfer kitty being handed out, spending a big chunk on a 32 year old striker who will not have much of a re sale value in a couple of years time , is not good business.
Saints for their part have plenty of options already at the club to replace Pelle, Charlie Austin would be the obvious choice when fit, but Jay Rodriguez can also play as an out and out striker, with other options being to play Shane Long in the role as he has done so well in the latter part of the season, or a revamped formation with Sadio Mane at the front.
Either way this seems to be a no brainer for Saints, get a big fee in that can help towards sign more players to strengthen the squad and in doing so increase not only the depth, but the quality.