Cesc Fabregas has revealed that he agreed to join Chelsea after Arsenal said that they did not need him.

The former Barcelona midfielder talked to his former club before his move to Stamford Bridge was announced earlier this week.

Speaking at a press conference at the World Cup, the Spain international told reporters: "There came a moment when I decided my time at Barcelona was over and I only tried to look for the best option for me.

"Arsenal were the first option due to a clause in the contract. We spoke with [Arsene] Wenger and he said that with [Mesut] Ozil they had this position well covered. From there, I had other very good offers and I looked for the best in the Premier League, which is where I wanted to go.

"I spoke with Jose Mourinho and he won me over, he convinced me, told me what I wanted to hear and from there everything was very quick. I hope that this new phase of my career goes phenomenally well."

Fabregas moved to Barcelona in 2011 after eight years with the Gunners.