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Southampton on verge of sealing £9.5m deal for Graziano Pelle
SOUTHAMPTON are closing in on a £9.5million deal for Feyenoord star Graziano Pelle.
The Saints are in the market for a new striker after losing Rickie Lambert to Liverpool as question marks remain over Dani Osvaldo's south-coast future.
New boss Ronald Koeman has already seen stars Luke Shaw and Adam Lallana depart the club, and is determined to hold on to the likes of Dejan Lovren and Victor Wanyama.
The Dutchman believes that new signings will improve morale inside the Southampton camp, and is hopeful that a deal for Italian Pelle, who scored 23 times in 28 games last season, will be completed this weekend.
He said: "Pelle is close but it's still not signed.
We hope maybe this weekend to have him as the second new signing
"We're getting closer together and we hope maybe this weekend to have him as the second new signing."
The Saints have already made one signing in the form of £8million midfielder Dusan Tadic, and Koeman admitted he was thrilled to secure his signature.
The boss explained: "Tadic is a player who scores and makes assist.
"I know him very well from Holland and he's a player who has very similar qualities to Lallana.
"He's a great player for us."