Graziano Pelle teases Southampton fans again in online post

The Italian striker is still loved by Saints’ supporters after he hit 31 goals just 81 appearances during a spell between 2014-16 – 23 in the Premier League.

He scored in spectacular fashion, and it was reminiscing on one of those goals where he first took to social media to start rumours and suspicions off.

His 12 goals in the 2014-15 league season helped Saints finish seventh and qualify for European competition for the first time in over a decade.

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It was back in July when the club posted on their official Instagram channel, celebrating his time on the south-coast and in particular an unforgettable goal at Chelsea, during a 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge where he also assisted the other two.

In the comments section below, Pelle posted: "Why always me? I might come back. SOUTHAMPTON?", in addition to the hashtags: #Magic and #Saints4Ever.

Graziano Pelle scored 31 goals for Saints (Pic: PA)

After scoring 11 in the 2015-16 Premier League season and then starring on the international stage at EURO 2016 for Italy, he joined Shandong Taishan.

Admittedly, it doesn’t feel like five years and fans have not forgotten the impact the former Feyenoord hitman made.

And it seems as though he hasn’t either, posting a video of his overhead volley against QPR onto his Instagram story with the words "#StrikerNeeded", complemented by an interesting pair of eyes emoji.

From Graziano Pelle's Instagram account

Pelle will have seen that Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men have only managed one goal in the last four Premier League games, and that was a James Ward-Prowse penalty.

After his six-month contract at Italian side Parma ended this summer, Pelle is now a free agent and could sign for any side who will have him.

Would you welcome the frontman back?