Samir Nasri claims that Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola wanted him to stay at the Etihad in the wake of his move to Spain.
The Frenchman made a deadline day switch to La Liga side Sevilla on loan for the 2016-17 campaign, amid speculation that there was no spot for him in Guardiola’s starting XI.
However, in an interview for the Sevilla website Nasri revealed he was not pushed away by the new manager, who instead did his best to keep the two-time Premier League title winner at in Sky Blue.
“Guardiola, until the last moment, tried to make me stay but I was clear I wanted to leave and go to a place where I could give my best level,” said the midfielder.
“I wanted a family club to give me love and a lot of minutes…I think that Sevilla can give me that. I did not open the door, quite the opposite.”
It had been rumoured that Nasri had fallen out of Guardiola’s favour having turned up to preseason overweight, but came on as a late sub in the recent 3-1 win over West Ham.
The 29-year-old was forced to the sidelines for most of the previous season, needing over 100 stitches after suffering a thigh rupture in late 2015.
“Last year was difficult for me, on and off the pitch, but now I really want to show my game in Seville,” said Nasri.
“I feel well physically, I did preseason and last Sunday I played a few minutes. I come with great enthusiasm after last season when injuries did not let me play as much as I wanted.”
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