Pep Guardiola's influence was decisive in Manchester City's swoop for Palmeiras sensation Gabriel Jesus.

It broke this morning that Palmeiras had accepted a €32 million offer from City for the youngster.

Sport says City chief Txiki Begiristain was fully aware that, in equal conditions, the Palmeiras gem preferred to join Barcelona.

So he leaned on Guardiola to help get the deal over the line.

As he has always done throughout his managerial career, with the footballers that have interested him, the coach had no hesitation to pick up the phone and convince the player, in this case Gabriel.

And of course, the young forward was impressed that the best manager in the world should be talking to him.