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Geoffrey Kondogbia: Why I rejected Arsenal for £28m Inter Milan move
GEOFFREY KONDOGBIA has revealed that a talk with Roberto Mancini persuaded him to join Inter Milan ahead of Arsenal.
Arsenal Transfer Round up - summer 2014
The midfielder signed a five-year contract this morning after undergoing a medical, with Inter paying Monaco a whopping £28million for the privilege.
Kondogbia had apparently flown to Italy with the intention of joining AC Milan before Inter hijacked the deal, with CEO Adriano Galliani claiming: "Monaco had given us the all-clear… But after exchanging documents, everyone just disappeared. Evidently they had changed their minds or someone else offered more."
Arsenal were also said to be interested in a move for the France international, with Arsene Wenger on the verge of completing a move for Chelsea's Petr Cech.
But Kondogbia has now admitted that former Manchester City boss Mancini convinced him to move to Inter over a week ago, telling the club's official TV channel: "It's definitely a dream come true to be part of this great team, I'll be here as long as possible.
Geoffrey Kondogbia has signed for Inter Milan
Mancini? I talked to him a week ago and his speech convinced me. I think I could not say no to a team like Inter
"It's a dream realised, since I was a baby I was watching them on TV. Now I'm part of this great club so I'll do the best I can. I immediately felt the enthusiasm of the fans and it's a pleasure for me. I hope that we will do great things for them.
"Mancini? I talked to him a week ago and his speech convinced me. I could not say no to a team like Inter."
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