London, Sep 2: Chelsea's new recruit NGolo Kante has revealed that he turned down Jose Mourinho's offer to join Manchester United this summer.

According to the player, the Portuguese manager called Kante, English Premier League winners with Leicester City, in a bid to convince him to move to Old Trafford for a fee in excess of £25 million.

But despite Mourinho's fervent plea, Kante, who was one of the reasons Leicester surprised one and all to win the EPL title last season, turned his back on the offer.

"It was amazing to have Mourinho call me, even though I'd been warned before how he would appeal to me. I listened to his arguments about why I should move to United. But at that time I was hesitant between staying at Leicester or leaving for Chelsea," the midfielder was quoted as saying by the Independent on Friday.

"My discussions with them were already well underway. But when I spoke, I had a good feeling with Conte," added the France international.

Kante was signed by Chelsea for £29m.

"At Chelsea I'm in a star-studded dressing room. Being the star of the game doesn't interest me. That's the highest level, unless you have exceptional qualities," he said of his new allegiance.

IANS