Jordan Veretout has revealed he spoke to Paul Pogba before deciding his move to Aston Villa.

The 22-year-old midfielder played alongside the Juventus star in the France team that won the Under 20 World Cup in 2013.

Veretout asked Pogba, the former Manchester United player, about life in England as a host of Premier League clubs chased his signature. He turned down Bournemouth and Leicester, who offered Nantes more money for his signature that Villa.

Veretout said his close relationship with Nantes president Waldemar Kita ensured his move to the club of his desire.

Aston Villa signed French midfielder Jordan Veretout after the 22-year-old penned a five-year contract

The 22-year-old midfielder has revealed he spoke Paul Pogba (right) before deciding his move to Aston Villa

In July Kita notably called himself a 'pillock' because he rejected Leicester's offer of approximately £3.5million more than Villa's initial £7m.

Kita told L'Equipe: 'He has made his choice, and I am going to go in his direction. I'm set to lose €5m. I am a pillock.'

Veretout, who also played alongside Inter midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia and behind Arsenal striker Yaya Sanogo for France, said: 'I spoke to Pogba and Sanogo and asked them both what it would be like for me to come to England.

'I asked them what it would be like to join Aston Villa. In the end though it was my choice. It’s all about doing a job for the coach and making a success of it.' Veretout, who scored seven goals in 36 Ligue 1 games last season, always wanted a move to the Premier League this summer - but enjoyed an amicable parting with Nantes, much in contrast to some players in England.

Saido Berahino, for example, Veretout's opponent on Saturday, exploded with rage at West Brom chairman following the collapse of his move to Tottenham and threatened to go on strike.

Veretout asked Pogba about life in England as a host of Premier League clubs chased his signature

But Veretout remained on very good terms with Kita throughout. 'I really got on well with him,' said Veretout. 'He didn’t want to sell me. He really wanted me to stay at Nantes.

'But I explained to him that even though I was happy at Nantes it wasn’t there that I would be able to take my career forward.

'Leicester offered more money for me I think. When I discussed it with the president, he allowed me to take this step because we get on very well and he understood what I was saying and why I wanted to move to Villa. He acted very correctly and I thank him for that.

'I also think that every player should be resposible and act and train correctly. If a player behaves in this manner throughout his career he will get to where he deserves to be.

The former Nantes player has made two league appearances for Tim Sherwood's side so far this season

'Bournemouth contacted me but I turned them down because I heard about Aston Villa’s contact. It was a club I instantly got a feeling for so that’s what swayed my decision.

'Aston Villa is a name. That was one of my main reasons. Then when I came to Aston Villa it just felt right and I knew I wanted to be here.

'I knew about Villa when I was young, a club that had won a lot of trophies and has a rich history.

'It was always a club that attracted me. It’s really important for me to say that I didn’t choose the club on the basis of money. I chose it for me and my future.'