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