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Pep Guardiola 'Not Disappointed' About Failed Jorginho Signing
July 20, 2018
Pep Guardiola has insisted he is "not disappointed" Napoli midfielder Jorginho opted to join Chelsea instead of Manchester City despite the Sky Blues agreeing a deal with the Italian club worth £44 million.
Per David Anderson in the Mirror, the City manager said it would have been wrong for Jorginho to move to the Etihad Stadium if a transfer to Chelsea is what he really wanted:
"No, I'm not disappointed. We tried, but at the end all my advice for the players is that they have to go where they want to go. For the guy, it would have been a mistake for him and for us if he had decided to come here when he wanted to go with Maurizio and Chelsea.
"So it is important that English football has received an exceptional player and at the end if they want to come, it's better they come. If he decides to go to Chelsea for the reasons he has explained or will explain, then all the best for him."
Chelsea completed the signing of Jorginho last week as he followed manager Maurizio Sarri in swapping Napoli for Stamford Bridge.
Per BBC Sport's Simon Stone, City were reassured as late as last Thursday by the Brazilian's agent that the 26-year-old still wanted to join them.
Despite Guardiola's comments, it will doubtless have come as a blow that Jorginho instead opted to join a direct Premier League rival.
It is not the first time that a player heavily linked with City has ended up moving elsewhere recently.
City attempted to sign both Alexis Sanchez and Fred before they joined Manchester United, while the Sky Blues were also said to be close to signing Virgil van Dijk before he chose Liverpool.
Guardiola's squad is hardly lacking in quality, though, and they recently added Riyad Mahrez from Leicester City for £60 million.
City begin their pre-season on Friday as they face Borussia Dortmund at Chicago's Soldier Field.
Their Premier League title defence begins with a clash against Arsenal on August 12 at the Emirates Stadium.