Chelsea winger Willian has revealed the Champions blocked a move for him by Manchester United this summer.
Reds’ boss Jose Mourinho targeted the Brazilian as part of his summer rebuilding plans.
But Antonio Conte continues to see the star as being a key member of his title-winning squad and has no intention of surrendering him after seeing Nemanja Matic go to Old Trafford.
Willian, who impressed during Chelsea’s pre-season in the Far East, said: "There were a few conversations with my agent. I worked with Mourinho and I became his friend as well.
"He likes me a lot and I like him a lot as a coach and as a person. He has put his trust in me and in my work, and I was very grateful to him.
"Manchester came to me, they talked with my agent, but nothing happened because Chelsea would not negotiate me in any way, and I'm very happy at Chelsea.”
The 29-year-old wideman, who joined Chelsea from Anzhi Makhachkala in August 2013, has three years left to run on the contract extension he signed in July last year.