New boy Fernandinho has revealed being snubbed by Brazil was the catalyst in his decision to force a dream move to Manchester City.
The box-to-box midfielder was confirmed as the Blues’ first signing of the new season last week for a rumoured fee of £30 million, after lengthy negotiations with Shakhtar Donetsk.
And the 28-year-old admitted he had to plead with the Ukrainian giants to lower their valuation and avoid pricing him out of any deal.
“The national team was certainly something that I took into account when I made my decision,” he told Globo.
“I had a stable life in Ukraine. I had adapted and I was loved by the club.
“But I was left out of the national team in early 2012 and didn’t get called up again. That really affected me.
“I’m relieved. It was a big battle. The negotiations were intense, took several days and I even abandoned my vacation.”
Fernandinho, capped just five times for Brazil, is desperate to play in the 2014 World Cup in his home country.
Despite enjoying his time in Ukraine, he says he was keen to move on and stayed after the season to convince the captain, manager and board to let him go.
And having secured his move to the Premier League, he hopes he can now play his way back into the Brazil squad in time for the World Cup.
“The truth is that I wanted to leave Shakhtar after eight years there,” he said.
“I told them this. As I was loved there, respected by the fans and within the club, they gave up.
“Everybody left after the league was over but I stayed in Ukraine to convince the club to release me as the buy-out fee was really very high and nobody would pay that.
“I had meetings with the president who promised he would talk with Man City if an offer of 40 million Euros came, which finally happened.
“I wanted to go as it will give me more visibility, both in Brazil and Europe. Now my chances of returning to the national team will certainly be a lot bigger.”
Image courtesy of Manchester City, via CityTV, with thanks.
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