Sevilla defender Jules Kounde has acknowledged that he was "flattered" when Manchester City made a move for his services in the summer.
Having helped Sevilla to the Europa League trophy during his first year at the club, the Frenchman was inevitably linked with a move to another top side.
Man City were one of the teams who were keen on the 21-year-old before they eventually wrapped up a deal for Benfica's Ruben Dias.
Despite a transfer failing to materialise, Kounde has revealed that he remains "very calm" about the next phase of his career.
Speaking to Sevilla FC TV, the centre-back said: "The interest of a club like City is always a good thing, but I'm at Sevilla and I'm very calm.
"I'm lucky to be at a club that competes at a very good level. We have a fantastic group of players and people. That wasn't a bad option, but I always told (director of football) Monchi that I would not force anything.
"If everyone wasn't happy, I knew I had a contract here, playing in the Champions League."
Kounde penned a five-year deal when leaving Bordeaux for a fee in the region of £22.5m.
Darren Plant
