Italy international striker Graziano Pelle has left Southampton.

The striker has joined Chinese side Shandon Luneng for an undisclosed fee, but is set to be making a rather healthy wage packet. 

According to reports, the Italian is set to become the fifth highest paid player in the world as Chinese football clubs look to continue their raids into the transfer market that dominated the headlines during the January window.

Pellé becomes the 5th best paid player in the world

— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) 11 July 2016

Pelle has made 81 appearances for the Premier League club, scoring 30 goals in his two seasons.

Towards the end of last season, Ireland's Shane Long often started up front for Southampton, with sometimes spectacular results.

With Italy not as well stocked with forwards in comparison to previous eras, Pelle led the line for his country at Euro 2016, scoring late goals against Belgium and Spain.

But his tournament ended with a penalty miss against Germany in the quarter-final shootout.