Gabriel Jesus reveals Pep Guardiola phone call convinced him to join Manchester City

Manchester City starlet Gabriel Jesus says a phone call from Pep Guardiola convinced him to join the club amid interest from Manchester United and Barcelona.

Jesus, 19, was one of the most sought-after players during the summer transfer window but it was City who beat a host of clubs to the punch. The Brazil international, who won Olympic gold with his country at Rio 2016, will remain with current club Palmeiras until the current Brazilian league season ends in December before joining his new side.

Prior to that announcement, it was reported by Brazilian publication Globoesporte that Manchester United attempted to trump their city rivals with a bid of €38m (£31.8m, $41.7m) for the teenager.

Barcelona meanwhile were also keen, with club president Josep Maria Bartomeu confirming the club were firm admirers. Mundo Deportivo also suggested the club were hopeful Neymar could convince his young countryman to opt for the move to the Nou Camp.

Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich were also credited with interest, but it was one phone call that played a pivotal role in City securing one of the most prominent deals of the summer.

"It was a complicated decision, but in the end my desire to learn won," Jesus said in an interview with the Guardian. "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."