Fredy Guarin's agent has said Inter Milan turned down offers from Chelsea and Real Madrid a year ago because the Serie A club wanted to build their team around the Colombian.
Guarin, who almost signed for Juventus last year only for the move to be vetoed by Inter president Erick Thohir, played a key role in the 4-1 win at Atalanta on Sunday, earning the penalty that put Inter in front before adding two goals of his own.
And agent Marcelo Ferreyra told calciomercato.com: "It's true [that Chelsea and Real made bids], but the offers were refused because Inter had a real project with him.
"All the sides respected that, and now we're seeing the fruits. Guarin is a complete player in attack, defence and tactically.
"I'm delighted and proud of him, and he's going to continue working hard."
The upturn in form comes after a difficult first half of the season, when Guarin struggled to fit into then-coach Walter Mazzarri's side.
But things improved under Roberto Mancini, with the former Manchester City having worked hard to find the right role for Guarin.
"I spoke with Fredy after the Atalanta game and he was delighted with his current form," Ferreyra said. "This Guarin is the fruit of the faith shown in him by Mancini, and also by the club.
"Ever since Mancini arrived he said that he wanted to build around Fredy, and football is all about faith. Mancini and Guarin both have the same way of seeing football."