AS Monaco star Fabinho has revealed his frustration over his failure to leave the Principality club in the summer.
The bulk of last season's title-winning side was ripped up, with Benjamin Mendy, Bernardo Silva, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Kylian Mbappe all leaving for pastures new.
Mbappe made the move to his boyhood club, with the loan move becoming permanent for £166 million next summer. Image: PA
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Fabinho was also heavily linked with a move to Manchester United and PSG, where his former teammate Mbappe is now plying his trade, but nothing materialised and he has stuck with Monaco for the season.
Image: PA
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The Brazilian opened up about his situation, saying the following to Nice Matin,viaGoal:
"During the window it was difficult because I was not sure if I would be staying. I was closer to leaving than staying.
"Playing in that context was not good. My head was elsewhere.Unconsciously, I was not giving my maximum. I was not trying to give a bad image, I could never do that.
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"I was frustrated at the end of the window but I have turned the page."
The versatile 24-year old was an option explored by Manchester United but Jose Mourinho opted to purchase Nemanja Matic for a fee of £35 million from Chelsea.
Matic is already looking like a very astute signing for Manchester United already. Image: PA
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Further commenting on his decision to not force through a transfer and instead remain at Stade Louis II, he added:
"I could not forget about what the club had promised me."I was sure I was right and I thought about fighting for it.
"But I discussed it with my friends, my family, my agent, it was not an easy decision.
"The image it would have given was not me. Even if it was the only solution, I did not want to clash with the club."
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Fabinho has made 14 appearances in all competitions for Monaco this season, scoring once.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: nemanja matic, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, PSG, AS Monaco