Christian Poulsen to Withdraw from Denmark for Liverpool
Midfielder Christian Poulsen has been granted permission to withdraw from the Denmark national team in order to complete his transfer from Juventus to Liverpool.
The two teams are said to be in negotiations for the combative midfielder, and the 30-year-old is expected to arrive at Anfield within the next few days. Liverpool are reportedly hoping to complete the deal quickly so that Poulsen can play against Arsenal on Sunday. Because of this, he has been allowed to miss an international friendly against Germany.
Following stints with Shalke and Sevilla, the Danish international moved to Juventus in 2008. Since then, he has made 49 appearances with the Bianconeri, and, like many others at the Turin-based team, he often struggled last season with consistency and injuries. He was so underwhelming, in fact, reports claimed he had been told by then team manager, Ciro Ferrara, that he was not part of the team's plans. Nevertheless, Poulsen refused any potential transfers, including a move to Fiorentina, hoping to change the team’s mind. This did not happen. Unsurprisingly, he has been linked with a move out of Italy since the transfer window opened, as Juventus are looking to raise transfer funds by trimming an extra large roster.
Poulsen has made 77 appearances with the Danish national team, and was expected to start against Germany. Despite this, over the years he has frequently been at the center of controversy when representing his country. In 2004, for example, he was involved in the spitting incident that got Italian striker Francesco Totti suspended. Totti claimed the Dane had provoked him. Much worse was an incident in 2007, when Poulsen punched Swedish striker Markus Rosenberg in the stomach during a qualifying match for the 2008 Euro Championship.
Liverpool will be Poulsen’s sixth professional team. It is believed that new Reds boss Roy Hodgson requested the Dane in light of the expected loss of Argentinean midfielder Javier Mascherano, who is rumored to be moving to Inter Milan.
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