Cape Town - Manchester
City were not the only team eager to sign Brazilian wonder-kid Gabriel
Jesus, but a call from Fernandinho could have sealed the deal for the
Citizens.
The 19-year-old was reportedly being chased by both Barcelona and Real Madrid before joining City from Palmeiras in January, and Fernandinho played a part in convincing him to turn down the Spanish giants.
"I just asked him to choose City - to come here," the midfielder told The Sun. I talked to him and was honest with him.
"A lot of big teams wanted to sign him, especially Barcelona and Real Madrid. I just told him 'look, you can take the team sheets of Barcelona and Madrid and see what player of 19 years old plays there in the starting 11.'
"But you have Pep here at City and he loves to have young players in the team - to give this opportunity for young players.
"I said to him 'you will have the opportunity to play here. Maybe not in the starting 11 all the time, but to come on regularly'."
Gabriel has taken his opportunities so far with three goals from as many appearances in the Premier League, and will hope to have something to say in their next match against Bournemouth on Monday.
The two Brazilians will be hoping to play a crucial part when City travel to the Liberty Stadium on Monday to face Bournemouth looking to maintain a top four position in the league table.
Kick off is at 22:00.