Samir Nasri has claimed Pep Guardiola urged him to stay at Manchester City and fight for his place.
Nasri was one of four City players to leave the club on Wednesday as he joined Spanish side Sevilla on a season-long loan, alongside fellow departures Eliaquim Mangala, Joe Hart and Wilfried Bony.
The Frenchman's future had seemed uncertain following Guardiola's arrival at the Etihad Stadium in the summer, particularly after the Spanish boss revealed the 29-year-old reported for pre-season training overweight.
But Nasri appeared to have worked his way back into Guardiola’s plans, being a surprise inclusion on the bench against West Ham last weekend - and even making it onto the pitch as a late substitute.