Cesc Fabregas says he had three different options when leaving Barcelona last summer and chose to join Chelsea immediately after talking face-to-face with manager Jose Mourinho.
Fabregas, 27, moved to Stamford Bridge in a deal worth 33 million euros after Arsenal reportedly turned down their first option to re-sign him and with a third English club believed to be interested.
Manchester United attempted to lure the Spain international to Old Trafford 12 months previously during David Moyes' reign as manager, but new boss Louis van Gaal dismissed the idea of signing the player soon after taking charge in May.
Fabregas, however, told El Partido de las 12 it was a chat with Mourinho which had ensured that he was not interested in any of the other options he had.
"It was totally professional, a chat with a lot of respect," Fabregas said. "I was sincere with him, and he with me. From the first moment we moved on from the past. He told me what he thought of me, what I could bring to his team, where I would play. From there I took my decision, after talking to him face-to-face. I told my agent that of the three English options I had, this was already all decided."
Fabregas said there had been contact about a return to the Emirates Stadium, but it had been made clear to him that Arsenal were not interested as they already had enough midfield options.
"With [Mesut] Ozil, and also [Aaron] Ramsey, [Santi] Cazorla and [Jack] Wilshere, they had all they needed," he said. "I had to look for a solution to go where I believed I would find my best football. Arsenal had first option, but they communicated to me that they had plenty of similar players in my position. From there quickly I looked for another destination."
This tallies with the message in Fabregas' farewell letter written to Barca fans upon leaving that "everyone knew" at the time Arsenal had turned down the chance for him to return.
The midfielder added that he had never thought about the possibility of joining Real Madrid or trying his luck in any other league.
"England for sure, there is no other league which is sufficiently competitive for me to demand the maximum from myself," he said. "In the English league the top teams were the only option. When I spoke with Chelsea, and saw that Arsenal already had their squad made, I saw it was the best option."
Fabregas also had high words of praise for Chelsea teammate Eden Hazard, who he said would soon be among the world's very best players.
"Hazard is our Messi, he is our best player," Fabregas said. "He makes the difference, connects our defence and attack. He is brutal running with the ball. When he adds more goals to his game for sure he will be up for a Ballon d'Or."