POULSEN HAPPY TO BE CHOSEN ONENew Juventus signing Christian Poulsen feels honoured to have been chosen by the Italian giants ahead of the club's other options in the transfer market.
The Bianconeri signed Poulsen from Sevilla on Monday, making the 28-year-old midfielder their eighth close-season acquisition.
His arrival brought to an end speculation linking Spain international Xabi Alonso with the Old Lady, but Poulsen claimed he does not feel he was ever a second-choice option behind the Liverpool midfielder.
"Everything has happened very quickly, in a week," he revealed at his official presentation on Thursday.
"I know that Juventus were also following other players, but this is normal. When a big club moves in the transfer market they consider several players from the top leagues."
Poulsen believes it was his performances for Sevilla which tempted his new employers to make a move for him.
"I think that I've played some good games in the past two years and I think that is why Juventus have chosen me out of a group of top-level players," he continued.
"Juventus are one of the biggest clubs in Europe and I was anxious to come here.
"After having played for four years in Germany and two in Spain, it's an honour for me to come here and be a part of this squad."
Juventus official Jean Claude Blanc added that the speed with which Poulsen's transfer was completed does not mean that the club were not following the player for some time.
He also echoed coach Claudio Ranieri's comments from earlier in the week, claiming that Poulsen's signing should be the club's last of the summer.
"The fact that everything has been very quick does not mean that we were not already previously interested in Poulsen. Juventus were following him since he played for Schalke (two seasons ago)," he revealed.
"We had a number of options, we spoke to more clubs about different players. Technical and economic valuations were made and Christian completely satisfied Juventus' demands."
He added: "With Christian's arrival our activity in the transfer market, except for looking for a second-choice goalkeeper, is almost complete.
"Of course, until the final day (of the transfer window) there is always the chance that we'll act again, but the chances of that are very slim."
from : Sportinglife.com