Former Southampton midfielder Carlton Palmer has told The Transfer Tavern that he would be “totally against” Graziano Pelle returning to the Saints.
Pelle enjoyed a successful spell down on the south coast between 2014 and 2016, scoring 30 goals in 80 appearances before going on to join Chinese Super League side Shandong Luneng.
The 36-year-old striker is now a free agent following his exit from Parma, prompting some Southampton fans to call for him to be re-signed.
It is something that Palmer, though, would be against, with the ex-Saint suggesting it would be a backward step for the club.
“I’m totally against it,” Palmer said when asked if the Premier League outfit should bring the Italian back to St. Mary’s.
“Fans, you know, will always put their hands up for a former favourite of theirs to return to the club, but it’s not always a wise move for him to come back. I think that would be a backward step for them.”
Nostalgia aside, there is little reason to re-sign Pelle this summer, with the 6 ft 4 former Southampton striker not having the best of times at Parma. In 13 games, he scored just once before leaving the Serie A outfit at the end of his contract.
