Navas excited by Man City challenge

Jesus Navas has said he never had any doubts about moving to Manchester City after Sevilla confirmed they had accepted a bid for the Spanish international on Monday night.

Navas has spent 10 years at Sevilla and won six trophies during his time at the club, but he insisted that the time had come to move onto a fresh challenge.

“It was my choice,” he told Sevilla’s website on Tuesday.

“I want to continue growing there and they have invested a lot in me so I want to continue succeeding there.

“It was a decision that I had taken and something that I wanted to face up to. It is difficult because I have had many years enjoying the support of the fans, but I had decided and I was desperate to go there. It is a very good step for me and I never had any doubts.”

Navas will still have to pass a medical with the 2011-12 English champions, but that may not be able to take place for some time as he is currently on international duty with Spain.

Although Sevilla haven’t confirmed the exact amount they will receive, reports in Spain on Monday estimated the 27-year-old will cost an initial 20 million euros ($26m, £17m), which could rise to 25 million should he achieve certain objectives.

Navas has made 23 appearances for his country and was part of the Spanish sides that won the World Cup in 2010 and retained the European Championships last year.

And his arrival in Manchester is a further indication that City will appoint current Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini as their next manager.

Pellegrini has already declared that he is to leave Malaga come the end of the season and admitted last week to having a verbal agreement in place with City.