Bayern Munich winger Douglas Costa turned down the chance to play for Chelsea over the summer as he wanted to work with Pep Guardiola.
Brazilian international Costa has emerged as one of Europe’s most deadly attackers since signing from Shakhtar Donetsk for £21.5 million, showing his ability to perform at the top level as Guardiola’s star man in home and away fixtures against Arsenal.
Despite Guardiola’s abundance of riches in wide areas, including Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben, the 25-year-old has been a regular in the Bayern side and dovetailed well with Robert Lewandowski.
Costa had publicly expressed his interest in a move to the Premier League, saying in March that he felt he could “achieve everything” under Jose Mourinho at Chelsea.
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However he has admitted that he changed his mind when Bayern Munich expressed their interest in him.
"Chelsea also wanted to sign me. They were seriously interested and made great efforts," Douglas Costa told Bild.
"But I really only wanted to work with Guardiola and join Bayern.
"I made a conscious decision to join Bayern because of the presence of Guardiola. I was convinced that I would learn more at Bayern under Guardiola."
Costa has provided nine assists in 17 Bundesliga and Champions League games this season, adding four goals to his haul.
