
Chelsea
youngster Charly Musonda has claimed he was targeted by Arsenal, Manchester
City and Manchester United before joining Real Betis on-loan in January.
The 19-year-old midfielder, who is yet to make a senior appearance for
Chelsea, is seen as one of the best prospects in the Blues' academy and
played an important role in the club's 2014 FA Youth Cup and 2015 UEFA Youth
League triumphs.
He was allowed to join Betis on-loan earlier this year and has since
impressed in La Liga, scoring his first goal on his second start for the
club in the 2-2 draw with Deportivo in February.
Musonda, who has already been capped by the Belgium U-21 team, has now
revealed his performances in the Chelsea youth set-up attracted the interest
of the Premier League's biggest clubs during the January transfer window.
"Nobody could know what [Jose] Mourinho had in mind for me," he told Belgian
newspaper
Het Nieuwsblad.
"It was simple: many English clubs wanted to buy me. Manchester United,
City, Arsenal, but a loan was the only option for Chelsea.
"Only one thing matters to me - playing. Whether I return [to Chelsea] or
not.
"There was interest from France, Netherlands. My ex-coach Yannick Ferrera,
who I speak to a lot, wanted me at Standard, but I did not want to return to
Belgium. And in the end I joined Betis."
Musonda signed a contract extension with Chelsea in March 2015 and he is
currently committed to the club until the summer of 2019.