Jesus Navas is in the North West to complete his £17million move to Manchester City and put a history of homesickness troubles behind him.
The Spanish winger will undergo a medical at the Etihad Stadium to complete the deal, which could rise to £23million with add-ons.
And the 27-year-old, who once insisted he could not play for Spain due to homesickness, is confident he can make a smooth transition to the Premier League.
“I’m going from Sevilla, which is a very nice place, and I’m going to a great club in England,” he said.
“I wanted to continue growing there and they’ve put a lot of faith in me and I want to continue doing well there.”
Navas becomes City’s first summer signing, even before the club have confirmed a replacement for manager Roberto Mancini, who was sacked in May.
Malaga boss Manuel Pellegrini is widely expected to land the role, after he confirmed last month he will leave the Spanish club this summer.
Navas is delighted the move has been finalised, after months of preparation and talks, and excited about the prospect of linking up with Pellegrini.
“We’ve been talking with Manchester City for four months,” he added.
“The Premier League is a competition where the football is very fast. I’m really looking forward to it. Manchester City are making a great team.
“I don’t know Pellegrini personally, but I’ve heard good things about him. He’s a great coach.”
City are also believed to me in the market for Shakhtar Donetsk’s Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho, as well as Isco, who has expressed a desire to follow Pellegrini out of Malaga.
Image courtesy of SEVILLAFC, via YouTube, with thanks.
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