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Football London
Football London
Sport
Aaron Catterson-Reid

Arsenal summer signing explains how Edu convinced him to complete transfer and reject Chelsea

Gabriel Jesus has spoken about how Arsenal technical director Edu helped convince him to leave Manchester City during the summer transfer window.

football.london revealed back in April that the Gunners' transfer chief was in talks with Jesus' representatives regarding a potential move to the Emirates Stadium and the 25-year-old forward was officially unveiled as the north Londoners' fourth signing of the summer for the men's side earlier this month. And his agent, Marcelo Pettinati, spoke last week about how the Brazilian international had turned down a last-ditch approach from Chelsea in favour of Arsenal.

"Chelsea were one of the teams that tried to hijack the Arsenal move," Pettinati told Freddie Paxton. "They tried very hard in the final days to get him. By that point, we'd already chosen our new project."

READ MORE: What Oleksandr Zinchenko did amid agreeing personal terms ahead of £32m Arsenal transfer

Now, Jesus himself has spoken about how a conversation with Edu helped convince him that Mikel Arteta's side was the best project at this stage in his career.

Speaking about his decision to join the club, the former City frontman said: "First of all was when Edu came to talk with me and ask me how I am, how I am feeling as a person and then after as a football player (and) what I want in the future. I think the conversation between me and Edu was amazing, I was so happy with the project of the club and then straight (away) I say yes, I think my way is in London."

Jesus netted 13 goals and provided a further 12 assists in all competitions last season, helping the Citizens clinch their fourth Premier League in just five years, and should offer a welcome boost to the Gunners' attacking options.

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