Inter Milan Snap Up Sampdoria Striker Giampaolo Pazzini

On Friday, Giampaolo Pazzini reaffirmed the fears of smaller clubs throughout Italy when he said, “I leave a piece of my heart in Genova, but you can’t turn down Inter.” Of course, the €12m deal, giving Pazzo about €2.5m per year, likely helped just as much as the Italian giants’ reputation. Pazzini came over to Sampdoria from Fiorentina in 2009, scoring 21 goals in all competitions last year in his first full season with the club.

Sampdoria might find their continued climb up the table just a bit more difficult now that Pazzini has left. The forward was their leading striker with six goals, and with Antonio Cassano also gone, Samp may have to settle for mid-table mediocrity. Jonathan Biabiany, included in the deal with Inter, has played in just one match for the Nerazzurri, coming in off the bench in the Italian Coppa. It’s unlikely the French forward will be their savior.

According to the ever-reliable Wikipedia, Giampaolo Pazzini already plays for Internazionale. But considering Sampdoria, his current club, probably want at least a little bit of cash in return for the sale, it’s safe to say that everyone’s favorite online reference tool just jumped the gun.

The January transfer window closes on Monday, as Samp’s president, Riccardo Garrone is well aware: when asked about Pazzini, he refused to say anything except: “There are still four to five days until the end of the market.” Meanwhile, tongues are wagging about Sampdoria’s unwillingness to compromise on a fee for their forward.