pep on call

Gabriel Jesus moved to Manchester City ahead of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United because Pep Guardiola was only manager to personally call him

ANDREW RICHARDSON

Published: 8:33, 6 Feb 2017
Updated: 8:57, 6 Feb 2017

GABRIEL JESUS was the most wanted man in the summer transfer window, but Pep Guardiola’s Midas touch persuaded him to join Manchester City.

Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United were among European powerhouses to follow the highly-rated Brazilian.

Gabriel Jesus reveals it was Pep Guardiola who convinced him to move to City — Gabriel Jesus reveals it was Pep Guardiola who convinced him to move to CityCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

In fact, the 19-year-old was so heavily courted, that Palmeiras installed different buy-out clauses in his contract for the interested clubs.

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However, Guardiola took the time to personally call him up — and Jesus insists it was this small act which convinced him to join City.

He said: “He was the only manager to call me.

“I wanted to work with him because of his intelligence.”

Spanish daily, , report Neymar attempted to convince his Brazil team-mate to join him at Barcelona, but without success.

Pep Guardiola phoned Gabriel Jesus up and this was enough to push through move — Pep Guardiola phoned Gabriel Jesus up and this was enough to push through moveCredit: PA:Press Association

Gabriel Jesus had a goal disallowed after coming off the bench on debut — Gabriel Jesus had a goal disallowed after coming off the bench on debutCredit: Reuters

Gabriel Jesus stayed with Palmeiras where he won a league title in Brazil — Gabriel Jesus stayed with Palmeiras where he won Brazilian league titleCredit: Reuters

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Gabriel Jesus started in place of Sergio Aguero and hit two against Swansea — Gabriel Jesus started in place of Sergio Aguero and hit two against SwanseaCredit: EPA

Neymar failed in his attempts to persuade Gabriel Jesus Neymar failed in his attempts to persuade Gabriel Jesus to join Barcelonato join Barcelona — Neymar failed in his attempts to persuade Gabriel Jesus to join BarcelonaCredit: AP:Associated Press

Their loss is City’s gain.

Jesus has scored three in his first three games — and even had a goal ruled out for offside after coming off the bench for his debut against Tottenham.

He agreed a move to the Etihad in the summer before helping his country win a first Olympic gold medal at the Games in Rio.

But, he stayed with Palmeiras until December, where he netted 28 goals en route to the title.

In the past two matches, he has started in place of Sergio Aguero in attack.

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