Transfer Centre

Fernandinho: Manchester City move was a "battle"

By Simon Sinclair, Reporter | 10 June 2013

New Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho admits that his move to the Citizens was a "battle" as his old club Shakhtar Donetsk refused to let him leave.

New Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho has admitted that he had to convince his old club Shakhtar Donetsk to let him leave.

The Brazilian international moved to the Etihad Stadium for a fee in the region of £34m, but he reveals that the talks were tough work.

Fernandinho told Globo. "I'm relieved. It was a big battle. The negotiations were intense, took several days and I even abandoned my vacation.

"When the first offer came in, they said no. I insisted a lot in order to convince the manager, the board and even the captain. 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.

"The truth is that I wanted to leave Shakhtar after eight years there. I told them this. As I was loved there, respected by the fans and within the club, they gave up."

The 28-year-old made 31 appearances for the Ukrainian side in all competitions last season.