NEW boy Lys Mousset revealed he had turned down a host of clubs – including Tottenham and Europa League champions Sevilla – to join Cherries.

The 20-year-old attacker also admitted he had been shocked by the price tag he had commanded for his move to Vitality Stadium, which was completed last week.

Mousset, a product of the revered Le Havre Academy that brought through the likes of France internationals Paul Pogba and Dimitri Payet, joined Cherries for a fee in the region of 6.5million euro.

Reflecting on the substantial interest in his services, Mousset said: "I had a fair amount of offers, from Torino, CSKA Moscow, Tottenham and Sevilla but I felt Bournemouth (was the right club) as they were the club that were rising in terms of strength and wanted to progress.

"I think that I will adapt quickly (to the Premier League). At Bournemouth, there is a desire for me to progress.

"I have been told that they are going to make me work. It is a project that I liked. I felt a lot of confidence and respect for me and my family.

"I am very happy. The Premier League is the division I have dreamt about ever since I was little. I love the game, the impact, the intensity. The last-placed team can beat the first-placed team. I cannot wait to discover all of that.

"I want to play, to start. Aside from that, I am not going to fix myself a number of goals I want to score. What I can tell you, is that I really cannot wait to start."

Prior to his move to Dorset, Mousset was linked with a string of clubs including Southampton, Arsenal and Monaco, with Saints believed to have been favourites to clinch his signature prior to Ronald Koeman's departure for Everton.

And while the France under-20 international was not surprised to receive interest, he was flattered Cherries had stumped up a significant sum, making him one of the most expensive signings in club history.

Mousset said: "In the current state of the market, it is quite normal for a young attacker to have offers. So I was not surprised.

"But I was surprised by the amount. There are higher fees but it still not bad!

"That was nice. It showed that they really wanted me," added Mousset in an interview with L'Equipe.

Mousset was the third new arrival at Cherries this summer following the permanent signing of midfielder Emerson Hyndman from Fulham and Nathan Ake's season-long loan from Chelsea.

He was one of the most prolific strikers in Ligue 2 last season, netting 14 goals in 28 appearances in all competitions.

Despite his exploits, Le Havre missed out on promotion to the top flight, prompting speculation Mousset would leave the Stade Océane.

Although Mousset prefers to operate as a central striker, he is said to be comfortable playing anywhere in a front three.