Pelle's agent claims contact with Everton

, 9 June, 70comments  |  Jump to most recent
Graziano Pellè has emerged as an early summer transfer target for Everton after his agent revealed that he has fielded inquiries for his client.

With Ronald Koeman set to be named the new Blues manager and the Italian international entering the final year of his contract at Southampton, links wth the 30 year-old were inevitable.

Romualdo Corvino has apparently told Italian radio station SportItalia, however, that "there has been contact with Everton, Stoke City and China," when asked if there was a chance of Pellè joining Juventus.

Pellè has thrived on the south coast under Koeman with whom he had previously played at AZ Alkmaar and has notched 23 goals over the past two seasons but the fact that he turns 31 next month means he would not be a long-term acquisition.  



Reader Comments (70)

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Brian Williams
1 Posted 09/06/2016 at 15:39:37
No thanks.
Kevin Rowlands
2 Posted 09/06/2016 at 15:42:19
If he's better than the human pin ball machine we have now then it's a yes from me.
Ben Jones
4 Posted 09/06/2016 at 15:43:18
Great as a backup for Lukaku or a first teamer we may buy. It'd be worth getting him for that.

I'd be worried if he's our first choice striker.

Alec Smith
6 Posted 09/06/2016 at 15:49:46
11 goals and 6 assists - Not exactly getting the pulse racing
Liam Reilly
7 Posted 09/06/2016 at 15:50:54
He's 31, this would will very likely be his last profitable move; so will likely want a 3 year plus deal. So no thanks.

File under - can do much better.

Pete Ellingham
8 Posted 09/06/2016 at 16:01:48
Think we can do better!
Thomas Surgenor
9 Posted 09/06/2016 at 16:04:49
Not the saints player I was hoping we would go for.

Far rather we went for big frazer, Virgil or Steve Davis.

Jack Convery
10 Posted 09/06/2016 at 16:12:42
If we go for Virgil, then surely Scott, Alan, Gordon and John would follow. As for Brains he'd need to wear contact lenses and I'm not sure he would want to. Tin Tin for Toffee Lady ?
Kristian Boyce
11 Posted 09/06/2016 at 16:15:24
Why does this sound familiar? I wonder if he has a 5M release clause, has a dodgy knee and will fast for Ramadan.
Steve Bingham
12 Posted 09/06/2016 at 16:22:18
Give this one a wide berth me thinks .
Ian Burns
13 Posted 09/06/2016 at 16:30:32
Gibson signing a new 2 year contract - I just don't understand this signing. Koeman delayed, even Sky were expecting it to be completed yesterday! Now Pelle is the next rumour. I was hoping for a far better rumour than this!

I think I will follow the Euros instead.

Damian Wilde
15 Posted 09/06/2016 at 16:34:27
Kone type signing. NO THANK YOU.
Geoff Risebrow
16 Posted 09/06/2016 at 16:47:24
A big no from me.
Shane Corcoran
17 Posted 09/06/2016 at 16:48:03
Ian, if you watch the Euros you'll get actual football rather than "good" rumours.
Bob Hannigan
18 Posted 09/06/2016 at 17:03:57
Done know but this sounds a lot like Wigan, Pt. 2

I think you are correct, Damian Wilde # 15


"Kone type signing.
NO THANK YOU."

John Daley
19 Posted 09/06/2016 at 17:04:48
I wouldn't get too worked up about this. 'Contact' (if any) could have been made any time, not necessarily in the period since Koeman was approached for the job. Not like the agent is big on specifics seen as though he cites an entire country as being amongst the suitors.

Anyway, didn't Koeman drop the same player late last season and state the reason was he was sick of him being a lazy arse in training?

Ian Burns
20 Posted 09/06/2016 at 17:05:58
Shane - 17 - my comment on rumours was somewhat tongue in cheek in that we thrive on good rumours and this rumour is not in that class! England and the ROI will keep me going until a decent rumour comes along!
Shane Corcoran
21 Posted 09/06/2016 at 17:07:04
Ian, as was mine.
David Pearl
22 Posted 09/06/2016 at 18:00:55
Pelle, when fit, is a fine player. More of a target man than Kone or Shane Long... And a perfect back-up for Lukaku.
Jim Hardin
23 Posted 09/06/2016 at 19:22:51
No. Just no.
Paul Kelly
24 Posted 09/06/2016 at 19:24:16
Usually I'd file under nonsense, but sick note has just got a new deal so a 25 million a year contract with keys to the city and brand new Ford Cortina Crusader to boot is not beyond the realms of possibility .
Ian Bennett
25 Posted 09/06/2016 at 19:38:30
A decent back up - get rid of Niasse and Kone. Last year of his contract - £6m tops.
James Stewart
26 Posted 09/06/2016 at 19:39:03
A big no thanks. Too old and simply not good enough. We already have better options.
Andy Meighan
27 Posted 09/06/2016 at 20:34:56
Perfect back up for Lukaku. Doubt if you'll be seeing those two in the squad anytime soon. Lukaku can't wait to get away and, as for the Pelle link, absolute shite. He's off on the China gravy train.
Conor Skelly
28 Posted 09/06/2016 at 21:00:40
Fabulous at holding the ball up. Would bring Ross, Geri, Mirallas and Lennon into play nicely - far better than Luwanku ever did. Always an option for a Plan B too. It's a yes from me. 2 year contract.
Gavin Johnson
29 Posted 09/06/2016 at 21:24:20
I'm not sure why anyone would be down on this signing. He's an Italy international who has a very good goal record in England (14 last season) and Holland. I don't think for one moment he would be Roms direct replacement. But he would be an excellent acquisition as a 2nd striker and replacement for Kone.

I've rated him since his first season at Saints. I was hoping that he would be one of the players we'd be interested in if Koeman became manager. I really hope we sign him.

Colin Glassar
30 Posted 09/06/2016 at 21:30:01
Oh god no, please no. He's an Italian version of Biffo, just a bit more debonair and worldly.
Aidy Dews
31 Posted 09/06/2016 at 21:36:56
I think he's decent and would be a really good back up, but IF Lukaku was to lead we'd need another striker along with Pelle to replace Lukaku!

Pelle is different to anything we've got up top. His hold up play is really good, he's handy in the air and he gets goals, and he would give us that option of being able to go direct and mix it up.

Tony Draper
32 Posted 09/06/2016 at 21:44:27
"there has been contact with Everton, Stoke City, China, and an as yet undisclosed race of aliens. This afternoon, my daughter made this amazing wild mushroom quiche......."
Michael Farrelly
33 Posted 09/06/2016 at 21:46:08
I can't imagine the Shite, Man City, Man UTD, Arsenal, Chelski or Spurs signing him so why should we if we are truly ambitious???
Gavin Johnson
34 Posted 09/06/2016 at 21:56:14
I believe Chelsea were linked with him in a few media outlets earlier last season as a back-up striker for Costa, Michael.

I think he would be a great back up striker. We've still got to be realists. Even City were buying players like Santa Cruz (I believe Pelle's at that level) in the immediate aftermath of having billions invested and we're not even in that bracket of wealth.

He's not at Lukaku's level but he's better than any of the other strikers we've had for the last 10 years apart from fat Yak in his 1st season with us.

David Donnellan
35 Posted 09/06/2016 at 22:16:11
As the first choice forward, no thanks, as a second/back up forward, yeh, I wouldn't be against that, good player from what I have seen & different to other front line options that we currently have.

As for imagining the likes of the shite, etc not signing him, the shite have form for signing crap from Southampton....Lallana anyone?

Gavin Johnson
36 Posted 09/06/2016 at 22:30:40
And Rickie Lambert.
David Donnellan
37 Posted 09/06/2016 at 22:32:32
Well said Gavin, how could I forget him?? He is even worse than Lallana.
Laurie Hartley
38 Posted 10/06/2016 at 00:27:12
Apparently Allegri of Juventus is a fan and is interested in signing him.

I reckon Pelle would fit in well with Barkley and Mirallas.

He is good in the air and with his back to the goal.

Karl Masters
39 Posted 10/06/2016 at 01:07:31
Good player.

Some of the ignorant comments on here about him suggest that people haven't really watched him play. Fair enough as he's not an Everton player, but why dive in and tell us all he's shite?

The negativity of some people on here is frightening.

Anthony Dwyer
40 Posted 10/06/2016 at 01:09:57
Ffs, surly we can aim higher.
Peter Roberts
41 Posted 10/06/2016 at 02:53:57
Decent addition to the squad which has zero strikers who are any good at working for the team. He would be a squad player, so please all the Rom fans don't start getting all hoity toity and start quoting the goal machines stats (which ironically aren't exactly on a different planet to this fella ).

As a 30 year old with 1 year left on his contract he would represent excellent value, a much needed outlet who could actually hold the ball up and allow the likes of Gerry, barkley, Mirallas etc to push on without the fear that any second later he will have lost the ball due to a bad touch or some 5ft 10 defender shoving him off the ball.

No - he's not the player who will replace Lukakus goals and very occassional big game as such but he will make a fair few realise just how abysmal lukaku has been at many aspects of forward play.

Kieran Kinsella
42 Posted 10/06/2016 at 03:25:30
My worry is we are hearing a lot about Moshiris millions but we are seeing a lot of band aid stop gap action. We will get a new stadium .... Eventually but for now we'll give Goodison an oil change a wax. We will get great new players ... But in the interim we will give Gibson an oil change and a new spark plug. Now this proposition of another short term option. Are we actually moving forward now or patching things up for a couple of years while Koeman gets geared up for Arsenal?
Ernie Baywood
43 Posted 10/06/2016 at 04:28:12
Three options.

Disregard it as a very lazy and slightly obvious link.

Take it as a sign of a player wanting to join us because he sees us as a club on the move.

Take it as a sign that we're treading the same old path... hire manager from smaller (yes, smaller) club and then bring in some of said smaller club's players.

I hope it's not the third. I just can't see it.

Laurie Hartley
45 Posted 10/06/2016 at 08:56:01
Anthony # 40 - Conte (Chelsea's new manager) has picked him as his striker for the Euro's. How much higher should we aim?

I am going with Ernies # 43 - 2nd suggestion.

On top of that this guy is a top class finisher with both feet and his head. Check it out.

Link


Eric Holland
46 Posted 10/06/2016 at 09:13:32
No thanks we can aim higher than this with our new found wealth.
Not the sort of signing to get the pulse racing is it!!

We are going to have to get a move on unless the out of contract players are going to be offered new deals.

I think we are going to need 5 or 6 quality replacements, and that is if we manage to keep all our present players.

Peter Roberts
47 Posted 10/06/2016 at 12:28:14
Are putting all our eggs in one basket again folks???

Maybe we can sign another big ego who realises that kone sat on the bench means he can amble around without fear of being dropped.

Or maybe we give ourselves options who can be competition for said "marquee" striker.... maybe then we may see a striker put a shift in. That said, some are just naturally lazy aren't they.

Peter Gorman
48 Posted 10/06/2016 at 12:44:16
Love how so many are turning their nose up at him. His work-rate alone puts our entire squad to shame. Add to that he is a good footballer. Must be the same people still convinced they've been watching the best team of a generation or whatever over the last couple of years (i.e. utterly deluded).

The age is the consideration - would have to be on the cheap (cheaper than the £5 mil wasted on Kone).

Peter Roberts
49 Posted 10/06/2016 at 13:50:05
Now then Peter.... don't be daft we are the Merseyside galacticos. Far too good for a decent honest player like Pelle to sign for us, yet we aren't good enough for the forever transfer seeking lead footed Lukaku..... many fans are just hoping he decides to at least give us another season of watching the 'beast' trot around and jump underneath the balls that fly over his head.
Pete Edwards
50 Posted 10/06/2016 at 13:56:03
He's down as Italy No 9 on their Euro squad list... how many times in the past would we have been linked with that?!!?
James Stewart
51 Posted 10/06/2016 at 14:01:14
Unfortunately I think this will happen, if its as backup then fine but he is not someone who should be first choice if we are serious about aiming for the top 4. Milik, Embolo, Slimani, Batshuayi, plenty of young striking talent out there. Mane is the one I would want from Southampton their best player by a mile.
Dominic Tonge
52 Posted 10/06/2016 at 14:03:37
Prefer this lad

http://youtu.be/4dnLyLATF1o

Mike Green
53 Posted 10/06/2016 at 14:12:30
Ppppphhh.....Pelle?! He's only an Italian International - we can do MUCH better than that! :D
Ian Burns
54 Posted 10/06/2016 at 14:22:16
James - 51 - agree with your list but my favourite is Milik - I am afraid this kid might light up the Euros in what is basically an ordinary side - I just wish we had a manager prior to the Euros Milik would have been on the very top of my list - after Ronaldo and Messi of course!
James Stewart
55 Posted 10/06/2016 at 14:49:24
I second that Ian he will be a top top player and would be a fantasy signing almost but I think there will be bigger fish in for him post euros.
Brian Harrison
56 Posted 10/06/2016 at 15:14:16
Well you can tell its the close season, agents telling the press that this club or that club is interested in signing their client. Very often this is just an agent trying to get a better deal at his present club. And how better to do this than say your client is in much demand.
Obviously with Koeman about to become our manager, his agent has obviously dropped our name into the discussion to give it greater credibility.
Just because a manager signed a player once it doesnt mean he will sign him for his new club. And yes I do accept that managers do quite often buy players from their former clubs but I suggest a large piece of salt to be taken with most of these stories.
Andy Cunningham
58 Posted 11/06/2016 at 09:33:07
I would rather put a bid in for Shane Long to replace Lukaku. He can trap a ball, deliver a pass and knows where the net is. He is a team player who conducts himself in a professional manner on and off the pitch, we should have signed him years ago.
Alan Bodell
59 Posted 11/06/2016 at 16:26:06
Last time a new man came in we got Alcaraz, Kone, Robles and Macarthy so please not again with a 'bring your mates' ethic.
Colin Glassar
60 Posted 11/06/2016 at 16:44:41
Does Pelle have the same agent as Nani? Sounds like rubbish to me.
Jay Harris
61 Posted 11/06/2016 at 16:56:42
That would be a no for me. No explanation necessary.

See big Vic has been released by West Brom. Wonder what went on there.

Peter Gorman
62 Posted 11/06/2016 at 17:28:55
No explanation necessary eh Jay? Please indulge us in any case.
John Raftery
63 Posted 11/06/2016 at 17:30:13
Andy 58 - Shane Long has scored at the rate of one goal every four games throughout his career. At 29 years old he would be a decent second string striker but no more than that. He is certainly nowhere near good enough to replace Lukaku. Neither is Pelle.
Otto Heinonen
64 Posted 12/06/2016 at 11:14:29
In finnish language, the word "Pelle" translates to "a clown". The word "Kone" translates to "a machine". "Oumar Niasse" is definition for "a bonfire made out of 13.5million pounds in front of starving people"

Just to let you know, fellow Evertonians.

Tony McNulty
65 Posted 12/06/2016 at 11:49:26
There could be some truth in this one. It would merely reflect the fact that all new managers are understandably, and to an extent, given their head with early acquisitions.

As for Kone (I suppose the jury is still out on Niasse, although the foreman has been seen collecting in the votes) I only wish an equivalent to the old "Sale of Goods" Act applied to players. When the merchandise proves unfit for the purpose for which it was sold, the goods are returned and you get your money back.

Fran Mitchell
66 Posted 12/06/2016 at 11:56:37
If Pellé chame in at a decent price, alongside someone like Embolo, Dembele or someone of that like it could be a smartphone move.

Anotei lad i'd take is Mitrovic. Bit of a headcase, but certainly has potential. He was hit and miss last season but that was understandable given that it was his first in the PL, his age and the fact he was being managed by mr Umbrella man.

He'd also fit in with Koeman's style of play.

Colin Glassar
67 Posted 12/06/2016 at 12:02:49
Fran, the only relegated players I would take would be Redmond and Wjinaldum.
Richard Dodd
68 Posted 12/06/2016 at 14:51:56
Excellent back up to a re-juvenated Niasse, no doubt.
Eddie Dunn
69 Posted 13/06/2016 at 17:52:12
No thanks, Mane is the player to go for, not this guy. He is too old and despite being a good target man, doesn't score enough goals.
Brian Wilkinson
70 Posted 13/06/2016 at 22:20:45
Looked a cut above Lukaku tonight, least he gets into areas instead of sticking his hand up then not making a run.

If anyone bids around the 50 million mark for Lukaku, I would snap their hands off.

I would take Pelle and another striker, and let Lukaku, Kone and Naise go.

Eivind Nyhus
71 Posted 14/06/2016 at 14:16:20
As a secondary striker, we can do a lot worse than Pelle, but he's too old to be our main guy up front.
Malcolm Bell
72 Posted 14/06/2016 at 14:53:14
A lot of these comments must have been written before the Italy - Belgium game.
Michael Kenrick
73 Posted 14/06/2016 at 15:40:16
Obviously, Malcolm – check the dates. But that doesn't necessarily invalidate them.

Pelle scored a brilliant goal at the end of that game. Simply superb technique. Do we sign him up on that basis? Bit like Jamie Beckford, eh?

Alex Bonnar
74 Posted 14/06/2016 at 15:53:33
I don't see Lukaku as a Koeman-type forward. Yes, he scored plenty of goals last season but that was on the back of Martinez's insistence on attacking play at the expense of defence. Any decent forward would have scored highly with the amount of support the defensive players gave attackers; it's a pity that the forwards did not give the same support to defenders when needed.

So, Lukaku will not have the same stats in a different, more balanced, Koeman style of play.

Time for him to go to the highest bidder I think.

Michael Kenrick
75 Posted 14/06/2016 at 16:32:20
I'm confused, Alex... The reason we've been given that supposedly explains why Romelu Lukaku looked so poor in so many games for us last season – despite scoring an impressive number of goals overall – was that he was 'isolated'... and received 'no service'.

"Any decent forward would have scored highly with the amount of support the defensive players gave attackers." – really? My impression was that Baines and Coleman especially were mere shadows of their former selves going forward. Barry and McCarthy are also well down the 'assists' list for last season.

Seems most of our goals actually came via assists from other attack-minded players.


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