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Lothar Matthaus has criticised Leroy Sane ’s decision to join Manchester City , suggesting it was motivated by money.

Sane joined City this week after a protracted transfer saga, signing for a fee of £37million on a five-year deal.

Former Germany international Matthaus says he would have benefited from another season at Schalke – and believes the 20-year-old will find it difficult to break into the City side.

“Sane will make several times his Schalke wages at Manchester City and that has been decisive in his decision to make the move to the Premier League,” Matthaus wrote in his column for Sport Bild .

“I cannot come up with any other reason. He was playing at a real traditional club at Schalke. I would have advised him to stay put for at least one more season. He will struggle at City.

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“I do not have any doubts that he has the ability to enjoy a very successful career. He is fast, has great technique and does not seem to feel any pressure. He could have done that at Schalke where people were counting on him and challenging him.

“He will no longer be enjoying this comfort zone at City. Pep Guardiola will be more than busy to impose his own philosophy at City. He will not have the time to give Sane extra attention when things are not going as planned.”