Palermo striker Amauri has revealed that Chelsea made an approach to sign him in the January transfer window.

The Stamford Bridge club were known to be in the market for a striker in January, eventually signing Nicolas Anelka from Bolton for a fee in the region of £15 million.

And Palermo present Maurizio Zamparini has already admitted that the Brazilian-born Amauri, who has nine league goals to his name this season, is likely to leave in the summer.

"Chelsea spoke to my agent," said Amauri, who is about to become an Italian citizen.

He added: "The Premier League is a very exciting championship, where the referee rarely interrupts the flow of play.

"I also love the fact that the public are very close to the pitch and to the players. Two of my favourite players are Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard."

Amauri has not yet been capped by Brazilian coach Dunga, and has applied for an Italian passport which is expected to be granted in April.

Italy coach Roberto Donadoni admitted in January that Amauri could be included in the squad for Euro 2008 if he continues to play well.

Asked about the possibility of representing Italy, Amauri said: "I would love to play at the championships for the Azzurri."

Zamparini revealed this week that the Sicilian club had already turned down a £17 million bid for Amauri, and European giants Juventus and Real Madrid have both been linked to the player.

Meanwhile, Palermo's second attempt to have their 1-0 defeat at Roma in January replayed because of the actions of a ball boy has been turned down by a sports judge.

Palermo launched the appeal after a ballboy quickly retrieved the ball ahead of a Roma corner, allowing the Giallorossi to take a quick corner from which Amantino Mancini scored what proved to be the winning goal.

Tom Williams / Eurosport