Cesc Fabregas didn’t want Arsenal return, claims Jose Mourinho
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho says Cesc Fàbregas was never keen on a move back to Arsenal this summer
Jose Mourinho has claimed that Cesc Fabregas was not interested in a transfer back to Arsenal this summer.
The Gunners are thought to have turned down the option to re-sign their former captain from Barcelona last month before the Spaniard’s £27m move to Chelsea.
I think he really wanted to come to us
Jose Mourinho
However, Chelsea boss Mourinho says that the 27-year-old playmaker was never keen on a return to Emirates Stadium.
“I spoke with him 20 minutes. I think he really wanted to come to us,” Mourinho is quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror.
“As you know, Arsenal had an option to interfere. But I think he was not open for that, I think he was very much in our direction so it was an easy job for me.”
Fabregas, who moved back to Camp Nou from Arsenal in 2011, scored eight goals and made 13 assists in 36 La Liga games for Barcelona last season.
Speaking after his transfer last month, the Spain international said: “Arsenal was my first option for the contract clause [but] we talked with Arsene Wenger and my position was filled in his team.
“I had very good offers from other teams. I wanted to come back to Premier League, obviously, then I talked with Jose Mourinho and he said what I wanted to hear, he convinced me and nothing else. I’m very happy with this.”
