Atlético Madrid striker David Villa had his heart set on a move to the Premier League until "the best team in world" showed their hand.
The 31-year-old was mobbed by jubilant supporters at his Vicente Calderón unveiling on Monday evening after completing a cut-price €2.1 million move from Barcelona. The fee paid to the Spanish champions will rise to €5.1m if Villa sees out the entirety of a three-year deal.
The Spain international started less than half of Barca's league games last season to put a host of European clubs on high alert, with Tottenham Hotspur among the Premier League clubs closely linked with a move for the former Valencia forward.
But when Atletico approached him in early July, he knew his future lay with the capital club.
Villa was mobbed by jubilant Atléti fans
He told reporters: "We had a move to the Premier in mind but then Atléti appeared and within three days all my personal terms had been agreed.
"From a career point of view, they weren't lacking anything. They finished third and will play in the Champions League. They beat Real Madrid to win the Copa del Rey.
"Starting from today, the best club in the world for me is Atletico Madrid."