Graziano Pelle is set to swap Southampton for China in a £13 million deal, according to multiple reports.

Following an impressive Euro 2016, the Italy striker had been linked with a move to join outgoing Azzurri manager Antonio Conte at Chelsea.

Pelle is set to leave St Mary's this summer but Press Association Sport and other outlets reported the 30-year-old will be heading to the Far East rather than West London.

Chinese Super League side Shandong Luneng is believed to be the destination in a deal worth £13m, which would be a profit for Southampton of around £4m on a player signed from Feyenoord two years ago.

Pelle, who turns 31 next week, only has a year remaining on his Southampton deal and the Premier League club were reportedly reluctant to offer an extension.

According to PA Sport, the forward has been eyeing a move to China since January, which is part of the reason behind the timing of Saints' move for QPR's Charlie Austin.

A ready-made replacement, Austin will compete with Jay Rodriguez and Shane Long in the attacking positions if Pelle's move is completed.

Saints are actively searching for a defensive midfielder to replace Victor Wanyama and have already signed Nathan Redmond from Norwich in a £10m deal, just days before they collected a club-record fee when Sadio Mane moved to Liverpool.