Cesc Fabregas reveals he had offers from three Premier League clubs, but joined Chelsea after Arsenal said they didn't need him

The Gunners decided not to take up a clause in Fabregas' Barcelona contract that allowed them first refusal on the Spanish midfielder

Midfielder Cesc Fabregas (PA)

Cesc Fabregas has claimed that he had three offers on the table from Premier League clubs this summer, but decided to join Chelsea after Arsenal informed him they already had enough midfielders among their squad.

Before Chelsea’s 2-0 win over the Gunners on Sunday, Arsene Wenger confirmed that he turned down the chance to sign the former Arsenal captain despite a clause in his contract giving the North London club first refusal on the Spaniard, which existed from the transfer deal that saw him join Barcelona in 2011.

Wenger also suggested that Fabregas’ move to Chelsea had been agreed “early in 2014”, but as reported by the Evening Standard, the 27-year-old has revealed that there was interest in his services from three Premier League clubs – one of which was Manchester United.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says it took 20 minutes to persuade Fabregas his future was in west London and the Spaniard admitted that meeting was a decisive factor in determining his future.

“I’ve always played in clubs where I wanted to play,” he told Spanish radio station COPE. “At the end of last season, I saw Chelsea as the best option. I always thought about a return to England and I talked to Mourinho and realised this was the best option.

“It was arranged through my agent. There was no call with Mourinho, just a face-to-face meeting. Jose showed great respect and convinced me quickly. We were honest, we put aside any history and I made my decision after talking with him. Overall I had three options in England.

“Wenger was already covered with [Mesut] Ozil, [Santi] Cazorla and [Jack] Wilshere and so I was less needed in my position. So I decided to go to Chelsea. Arsenal had an option but they told me they had similar players in my position.”

Fabregas and Wenger developed a close relationship during his time at Arsenal (PA)

Fabregas also spoke of his emotion at leaving his boyhood club and despite departing for the second time in his career, he has no regrets over leaving Catalonia.

He said: “I’m leaving satisfied, happy and with five titles and a European Championship. It was a dream to play in the Nou Camp. The second time I left it was worse. In the first you are a child and I never imagined playing in the first team.”