“Jesús was clear” – Manchester City and Bayern Munich snubbed in favour of Real Madrid by Spain full-back

Manchester City were amongst the clubs to be rejected by Spain teenager Jesus Fortea in 2022, it has been revealed.

Manchester City and Real Madrid are set to resume their on-field rivalry next month, when the Premier League and La Liga heavyweights meet in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League, a repeat of last season’s semi-final tie.

Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti are to set battle for the third consecutive season, with a semi-final tie against either Arsenal or Bayern Munich awaiting the winners of the showdown quarter-final meeting.

The two sides have also been subject to transfer battles, with the Sky Blues most recently beating Real Madrid to the signing of striker Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund for £51 million in 2022.

It has emerged that Manchester City suffered defeat to Real Madrid for a different signing that summer however, with Sport Witness relaying claims by AS, who report that the Cityzens were rejected by full-back Jesus Fortea.

The 16-year-old is claimed to have rejected both Manchester City and Bayern Munich in favour of joining Real Madrid, despite the Spain Under-17 international receiving ‘proposals’ from the Etihad Stadium.

“The financial offers were superior, but Jesús was clear that he would only leave Atleti if it was for Madrid,” a member of entourage is claimed to have said.

The teenager swapped Atletico Madrid for the Real Madrid academy in 2022, and has made six UEFA Youth League appearances so far this season.

Real Madrid are further claimed to have been pleased that the Spaniard ‘said no’ to Manchester City, with the City Football Academy always looking to sign the hottest young talent from across Europe.

Manchester City beat Barcelona and Chelsea to the signature of River Plate and Argentina Under-20 star Claudio Echeverri in January, with the highly-rated 18-year-old signing a long-term contract until 2028 at the Etihad Stadium.