Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker has confirmed that he was on the verge of signing for Bayern Munich during the summer transfer window.
The 33-year-old briefly fell out of favour under Pep Guardiola last season, as the Catalonian coach favoured using John Stones in an inverted right-back role.
Guardiola publicly claimed that Walker was incapable of playing in the same way as Stones, casting doubt over the England international's long-term future with the Premier League champions.
The former Tottenham Hotspur man failed to make the starting lineup for the Citizens' Champions League final win over Inter Milan, although he did complete the full 90 against Manchester United in the FA Cup final as a centre-back.
Following a challenging campaign at individual level, Walker was tipped to leave the Etihad for Bayern as he entered the final year of his contract with Guardiola's side, as the Bavarians sought replacements for Inter Milan-bound Benjamin Pavard.
© Reuters
Bayern - who took Joao Cancelo on loan for the second half of last season - apparently made two contract offers to Walker, but the 33-year-old ultimately opted to snub a switch to the German champions in favour of staying at City.
While Walker could still leave as a free agent in 2024 as things stand, the defender has confirmed that he is close to signing a new deal at the Etihad after opting not to try his hand at Bundesliga football.
"Decisions can be made, things can turn. It was close but in football things can happen. It wasn't meant to be," BBC Sport quotes Walker as saying. "Would I have enjoyed the experience? Of course I would, but this is a great club and you can't underestimate what this club has done in the last six or seven years.
"Why should I walk away if I am going to get enough game time that's right for me? That is all I want. It was about who gave me the most years. It wasn't like I was going to a worse club because Bayern Munich is a massive club and seeing what Harry [Kane] is doing there and will do, it wasn't a step down.
"In the back of my head I always wanted to play for Manchester City but I had to do what was right for me and my future. It was just about which club gave me the years in my contract to play football at the highest level."
© Reuters
When asked about his imminent renewal, Walker revealed that an announcement of his new deal is on the way, and he would never try to force a move away from the club while under contract.
"The extension is coming. It's my seventh season here and I feel like one of the old ones I love the place. I've experienced things I only dreamt of here - especially the last season - so why would you want to leave a club like this?" Walker added.
"I am a Manchester City player. I am contracted to them so what do you want me to do? Turn round and say 'I am not playing because I want to force a move to Bayern Munich.
"That is not me as a person. I have a contract with the club and I will play for the club until the contract [ends] or they sell me - and I wasn't sold."
Walker has now entered his seventh season as a Man City player following his £45.1m move from Tottenham in 2017, and the defender has amassed six goals and 18 assists in 260 games for the club since.
The England international has also captained the Citizens in five of their opening six games in the 2023-24 season, playing the full 90 minutes in each of them.
Ben Knapton
