By Nadia Carminati Last updated: 22nd November 2009
Pazzini: Highly rated hit-man
Reports in Italy suggest Arsenal are preparing an approach for Sampdoria striker Giampaolo Pazzini.
The Italian frontman is among the leading scorers in Serie A this season, helping Samp to mount a top four challenge.
A number of eye-catching performances have drawn attention from afar, with numerous clubs believed to be tracking his availability.
Arsenal are the latest to be linked with a move for the 25-year-old striker, with Arsene Wenger said to be willing to part with 18million euros (£16.2m) in order to get his man.
That is said to fall some way short of Sampdoria's valuation, but they have refused to rule out the possibility of opening negotiations with any interested party.
Should Arsenal launch a bid, they are likely to face competition for Pazzini's signature from Premier League rivals Chelsea.
The Blues have seen their transfer ban lifted by Fifa and Carlo Ancelotti has already drawn up a list of potential targets.

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| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 20th March | |
| Italy Serie A | |
| 17:00 | Fiorentina vs Genoa |
| 19:45 | Palermo vs Inter Milan |
| 19:45 | Roma vs Udinese |
| Sunday 21st March | |
| Italy Serie A | |
| 14:00 | AC Milan vs Napoli |
| 14:00 | Atalanta vs Livorno |
| 14:00 | Bari vs Parma |
| 14:00 | Cagliari vs Lazio |
| 14:00 | Chievo vs Catania |
| 14:00 | Siena vs Bologna |
| 19:45 | Sampdoria vs Juventus |
| Wednesday 24th March | |
| Italy Serie A | |
| 19:45 | Atalanta vs Cagliari |
| 19:45 | Bari vs Sampdoria |
| 19:45 | Bologna vs Roma |
| 19:45 | Catania vs Fiorentina |
| 19:45 | Genoa vs Palermo |
| 19:45 | Inter Milan vs Livorno |
| 19:45 | Lazio vs Siena |
| 19:45 | Parma vs AC Milan |
| 19:45 | Udinese vs Chievo |
| Thursday 25th March | |
| Italy Serie A | |
| 19:45 | Napoli vs Juventus |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 14th March | |
| Italy Serie A | |
| Parma 1 - 0 Atalanta | |
| Lazio 0 - 2 Bari | |
| Udinese 3 - 2 Palermo | |
| Livorno 3 - 3 Roma | |
| Genoa 5 - 3 Cagliari | |
| Bologna 1 - 1 Sampdoria | |
| AC Milan 1 - 0 Chievo | |
| Juventus 3 - 3 Siena | |
| Saturday 13th March | |
| Italy Serie A | |
| Napoli 1 - 3 Fiorentina | |
| Friday 12th March | |
| Italy Serie A | |
| Catania 3 - 1 Inter Milan | |
| Sunday 7th March | |
| Italy Serie A | |
| Cagliari 2 - 2 Catania | |
| Bari 1 - 0 Chievo | |
| Palermo 1 - 0 Livorno | |
| Sampdoria 2 - 1 Lazio | |
| Siena 1 - 1 Parma | |
| Inter Milan 0 - 0 Genoa | |
| Atalanta 0 - 0 Udinese | |
| Bologna 2 - 1 Napoli | |
| Saturday 6th March | |
| Italy Serie A | |
| Fiorentina 1 - 2 Juventus | |
| Roma 0 - 0 AC Milan | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Inter Milan | 28 | 59 |
| 2 | AC Milan | 28 | 58 |
| 3 | Roma | 28 | 53 |
| 4 | Palermo | 28 | 46 |
| 5 | Juventus | 28 | 45 |
| 6 | Sampdoria | 28 | 44 |
| 7 | Genoa | 28 | 42 |
| 8 | Napoli | 28 | 41 |
| 9 | Cagliari | 28 | 39 |
| 10 | Fiorentina | 28 | 38 |
| 11 | Bari | 28 | 38 |
| 12 | Parma | 28 | 37 |
| 13 | Chievo | 28 | 35 |
| 14 | Bologna | 28 | 35 |
| 15 | Udinese | 28 | 31 |
| 16 | Catania | 28 | 31 |
| 17 | Lazio | 28 | 26 |
| 18 | Livorno | 28 | 24 |
| 19 | Atalanta | 28 | 22 |
| 20 | Siena | 28 | 22 |
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