Today's transfer gossip...

SAINTS are eyeing Juventus striker Simone Zaza as a replacement for Graziano Pelle, according to the national press.

The Mirror report that Pelle will not be offered a new contract, with his current one set to expire in the summer of 2017.

There is apparently interest from Serie A sides Lazio, AC Milan and Juventus in bringing Saints' Italian international striker back to his homeland this summer and they will be monitoring his performances at Euro 2016.

The report adds that Saints will counter Pelle's departure with the arrival of Zaza, who is also in Antonio Conte's 30-man Azzurri squad.

The 24-year-old ace scored eight goals in 24 appearances for Italian champions Juve, but only started eight games in all competitions.

The 6ft1in frontman, who has nine caps for Italy, has allegedly been told by Juventus that he can leave with game-time not guaranteed.

The Italian giants are planning wholesale changes in the summer and Zaza is not included in their plans. 

Saints could face a battle for his service because West Ham are also apparently interested in Zaza.

Pelle has had limited success in his homeland in the past, finding his best form playing under Ronald Koeman at Feyenoord and Saints. 

The 30-year-old played for Lecce in his early playing days before loan moves to Catania, Crotone and Cesena. None of which yielded many goals. 

Pelle headed to AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands in 2007, but returned home again in 2011 for unsuccessful spells at Parma and Sampdoria.

A loan move to Feyenoord to work under Koeman and then to St Mary's in 2014 has seen him find his best form. 

This season he reached double figures for a second successive campaign, netting 14 times in all competitions. 

Pelle spoke about the transfer speculation back in March and admitted at the time that he'd hope to stay at St Mary's. 

He said: “I’ve never spoken about going away but there have been voices from journalists.

“It’s nice to hear, it means you’re doing something well, but I never really thought of going anywhere else while I’m contracted to Southampton.

“I’m not that stupid to hope to go away. The Premier League is the best competition and Southampton is a really good club to settle in.

"Everyone is friendly, people are behind you. Hopefully I will stay here, we’ll see how it goes.”