Brazilian prodigy Gabriel Jesus has revealed a personal phone call from Pep Guardiola was the pivotal factor in his decision to transfer to Manchester City this summer.
Jesus was signed during the last transfer window by the Premier League side for a reported £27m base fee along with add-ons, with the 19-year-old set to link up with his new team in January.
The talented youngster has netted 10 times for Palmerias in the Brazilian top-flight this season which lead to interest from a host of top European clubs, supposedly including Barcelona, Manchester United and Real Madrid.
However, Jesus has said that it was the personal touch from City boss Guardiola that convinced him to transfer to the Etihad Stadium, with the teenager agreeing a five-year contract in Manchester.
Jesus told the Guardian: “It was a complicated decision, but in the end my desire to learn won.
“The presence of Guardiola as a manager at City and the fact that it is a great club were very important factors in my final decision.
“Guardiola’s phone call was a huge part of me deciding to go there. It made me realise that I’d love to work with him. I don’t know him personally yet but he already made me feel very safe about his project there.”
The Olympic gold medal winner has also indicated he sees himself featuring more as a wide-man for the Citizens rather than as an out-and-out striker, and Jesus is relishing the competition for places at City.
He added: “I think I will fight for a place as a winger in the team. I actually prefer playing as a left winger rather than a striker, but I just want to be very clear that I’m willing to play in either position.
“I will listen to the manager’s opinion and his advice in order to improve and adapt as fast as I possibly can.”
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