Chelsea Keen On Sampdoria Striker Giampaolo Pazzini - Report

Chelsea are ready to test Sampdoria's transfer resistance by making a mega bid for in-form striker Giampaolo Pazzini.

According to Sportmediaset.it, Carlo Ancelotti has been following the Italian, who has struck seven times in 11 Serie A matches to keep 'Doria flying towards the summit.

The report suggests Chelsea will show their hand during the winter transfer window after their ban on landing new players was temporarily lifted while the CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) rules on the dispute over the signing of French youngster Gael Kakuta.

It is said the Blues had an €18 million bid rejected by Sampdoria, who are keen to hold onto the former Fiorentina man.

Before the transfer ban was suspended by the CAS, Ancelotti revealed his penchant for Pazzini in an interview with Sky Sport Italia earlier this week.

"We cannot say anything on this [the market] because we are waiting for a decision from FIFA. We have to wait before making any move. Pazzini is doing really well, but if all the players I like were to come to Chelsea, we would have to enlarge the squad," Ancelotti said.

Despite the report, Pazzini has always pledged his allegiance to Samp. He has ambitions to play at the World Cup with Italy and is therefore unlikely to risk that by joining another club during the season.

"I hope to return to La Nazionale, but I need to keep up the good performances and score plenty in order to do so," Pazzini told Sky Sport Italia.

Salvatore Landolina, Goal.com