Crystal Palace have been offered the chance to sign former Italy forward Giampaolo Pazzini next month.

Pazzini is surplus to requirements at AC Milan and the club have given intermediaries the go-ahead to find a new club for him – preferably in the Premier League, so they would not have to face Pazzini in the second half of the Serie A season.

Pazzini is attracted by the idea of a new challenge but it remains to be seen whether Palace boss Neil Warnock would take a chance on a forward who has rarely played this season.

Pazzini, 30, has played for both Milan clubs and represented Italy at the 2010 World Cup, but his last cap was more than two years ago.

The Italian score the first ever hat-trick at the new Wembley Stadium, as Italy's Under-21 side drew 3-3 with England back in 2007.