Manchester United target Fabinho has revealed he was determined to leave Monaco during the summer.
Jose Mourinho’s side were heavily linked with a move for Fabinho during the summer but failed in their attempts to sign the versatile defender before the transfer window shut at the end of August.
Fabinho, 23, who is naturally a right-back, has thrived since being converted into a central midfielder this season under Leonardo Jardim, and revealed his mind was set on leaving before he eventually put pen to paper on a new five-year deal in September keeping him at the club until 2021.
“I signed an extension after the previous window,” Fabinho told Globo Esporte, via Get French Football. “My name had been lined with big clubs this summer, notably in England. I wanted to leave Monaco at that point, that was my intention.
“I thought that it was the right moment. But as I did not receive a single concrete offer, I decided that the best solution was to stay here to play in the Champions League and to try and win a cup with this team.”
The Brazil international’s performances in central midfield have been integral to Monaco’s stellar start to the league campaign, which currently has them just three points behind surprise leaders Nice.
In fact, Fabinho has almost scored as many league goals in 11 appearances this season (5) than he managed in 34 matches last term (6). Incredibly, the former Real Madrid loanee is Monaco’s top goalscorer in the league this season. Not only that, but he has completed at least 16 more tackles than any other teammate this season (40).
For more stats on Fabinho, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
