Christian Poulsen and Luca Cigarini

New duo on Old Lady radar
Wednesday 2 July, 2008

Danish international Christian Poulsen and Parma’s Luca Cigarini are the latest midfielders to be linked with Juventus.

The Old Lady are on the hunt for a midfield reinforcement, but President Giovanni Cobolli Gigli has ruled out a move for Sporting Lisbon’s Miguel Veloso, while talks over Xabi Alonso have stalled.

Reports in the peninsula suggest that the next name on the shopping list could be that of Sevilla star Poulsen.

The 28-year-old became known in Italy when Francesco Totti received a three-match ban for spitting at him at Euro 2004.

Poulsen has a rescission clause set at £8m and would be a cheaper alternative to Alonso or Veloso.

Sporting director Alessio Secco has been following the star for months and is reportedly ready to offer a contract of nearly £2m per season.

Meanwhile, Parma talent Cigarini [pictured] is back in the frame. The gifted 22-year-old is seen as a great prospect for the future and would be expected to jump at the chance to show his ability in Turin.

An Azzurrini fixture, Cigarini has been valued at £10m – a fee that Juve were reluctant to match, but may now consider as an investment.

*chan4