Juve call off transfer of Alonso

Juventus president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli has called off the Italian club’s pursuit of Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso.

Gigli has confirmed the club have finished their activity in the summer transfer market – “unless something extraordinary happens”.

The Bianconeri signed Christian Poulsen from Sevilla on Monday, making the Denmark midfielder their eighth close-season acquisition.

“Everyone knows that the transfer market ends on August 31,” said Cobolli Gigli.

“But if I have to be honest, unless something extraordinary happens, we can say that we have concluded our transfer activity.”

Juve were unable to lure one of their top summer targets, with Spain international Alonso remaining in the Premier League with Liverpool.

The Old Lady considered other alternatives before bringing in Poulsen – a player Cobolli Gigli is confident will succeed.

“I am convinced that we have made a good choice by acquiring Christian Poulsen,” he said.

“This signing is not a bet made by (Claudio) Ranieri but rather a tactical decision taken by Juventus, knowing that a powerful attack can only be supported by a strong midfield.”