Brazilian youngster Gabriel Jesus has admitted that his “desire to learn” was the main reason he decided to sign for Manchester City as he looks forward to working with manager Pep Guardiola.

The Citizens, 1.62 to win the Premier League title, spent big in the summer transfer window after they paid Sao Paulo £27m for the 19-year-old’s services.

Jesus will not link up with his new team-mates until January but he is already excited about the prospect of playing under Guardiola.

The Spaniard has enjoyed a solid start to life in England and Jesus believes the former Barcelona coach can take his game to the next level.

He decided to reject the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Paris St Germain, Bayern Munich and Manchester United after claiming Guardiola won him over during a phone call.

“The presence of Guardiola as manager of City, and the fact that it is a great club, were very important factors in my final decision,” he told The Guardian.

“Guardiola’s phone call was a huge part of me deciding to go there. It made me realise that I’d love to work with him. I don’t know him personally but he made me feel very safe about his project.

It was a complicated decision but, in the end, my desire to learn won. “I’d like to think I’m a versatile player. But I will listen to the manager’s opinion and advice in order to improve and adapt as fast as I possibly can.”