Gabigol explains why he chose Inter over Juventus

The striker nicknamed 'Gabigol' was in demand prior to his move from Santos last month, with Barcelona and Juventus also among the clubs reportedly chasing him.

Gabriel Barbosa in action for Brazil at the Rio Olympics

Brazilian forward Gabriel Barbosa says he opted to go to Inter instead of Juventus because the exciting project on offer at San Siro.

The Brazil international, who was a part of the Olympic team that won the gold, could make his Inter debut at home to Bologna on Sunday after he was an unused substitute in the side's 2-0 win at Empoli on Wednesday.

READ: >Gabriel explains Europa League omission

The striker nicknamed 'Gabigol' was in demand prior to his move from Santos last month, with Barcelona and Juventus also among the clubs reportedly chasing him.

Gabriel, though, was tempted by the challenge of helping Inter return to the top of the European game.

"I moved for the project," the 20-year-old said to Fox Sports.

"Inter want to return to being a very strong team and because of that, I decided to go to Italy with my family.There are great players like Antonio Candreva and Mauro Icardi who score a lot of goals. And also Eder, who is Brazilian like me.

"I had a crazy welcome at the airport in Milan and at that point I did not know I would be an Inter player. I am happy with my choice, I think I have come into a great team which I have always heard good things about. This is why I preferred Inter to Juventus.

"I was told that the strongest rivalry is with Juventus and not AC Milan. I decided to leave Santos because I thought I had stayed for quite a long time and learned quite a lot of things. I did what I felt was right," said Barbosa.

After initially making a shaky start to Frank de Boer's reign, Inter has won three consecutive Serie A matches, >including a win over Juventus.