Chelsea have reportedly started negotiations to sign Italian international Giampaolo Pazzini.
The Sampdoria striker moved from Fiorentina in January, and has been in great form for the Serie A side ever since. He grabbed 11 goals in just 19 games at the back end of the 2008-09 season, and that has continued with eight goals in just 16 games so far in this campaign.
The Blues have been linked with a handful of strikers in recent weeks as the African Cup of Nations draws closer. Chelsea will lose Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou from the striking positions, and may find themselves short of options in the attacking positions.
Pazzini has been linked with the Stamford Bridge club in the past, and now reports in Italian paper Il Corriere Dello Sport report that Chelsea have opened dialogue with the player's agent Tulio Tinti.
The speculation continues with the news that Tinti will fly to London to discuss personal terms in the near future. Carlo Ancelotti has previously stated that Chelsea aren't desperate to bring new players to the club, but Pazzini is one of the top strikers in europe.Pazzini has proved himself in Italy, and Ancelotti might be persuaded to take a risk on a striker who isn't cup-tied for the Champions League.
