Manchester City winger Leroy Sané has claimed that his international teammate, Joshua Kimmich, helped convince him to complete a move to the Etihad at the start of last season.

The 22-year-old joined Manchester City in 2016, completing a high-profile £45m transfer after an outstanding season with Schalke 04.

Impressive performances in the Bundesliga often opens the door to a move to Bayern Munich. However, it was the Bavarians' versatile defender who told Sané to jump at the chance to play under Pep Guardiola.

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"I appreciate that Bayern always wants to have the best German talents," Sané told Welt am Sonntag (via Goal). "But I was more attracted by the foreign country and by the chance to play in a team of the best trainer in the world.

"When Pep called me and told me that he wants me on his team, I instantly knew: ‘I want to join him.’ I followed his time at Barcelona, at Bayern and I played with Schalke against him. I recognised that he makes every player better.

"I also talked with Joshua Kimmich about Guardiola in this time. He also advised me: ‘Leroy, if Guardiola calls you and tells you that he wants you on his team, do it.'"

Sané's performances this season should earn him a place in Joachim Löw's Wolrd Cup squad this summer. Having already accumilated nine appearances for die Mannschaft, the 22-year-old will be hoping he can register his first senior international goal in Russia.