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Kyle Walker explains why he rejected Bayern Munich to stay at Man City with new contract imminent.
With a new contract soon to be signed, Kyle Walker has given an explanation for his choice to remain at Manchester City and reject a move to Bayern Munich this summer.
The England international’s current deal with the club extends through 2024, but he ultimately elected to stay despite initial uncertainty earlier this summer following a rumoured falling out with manager Pep Guardiola last season.
Bundesliga winners At one time during the summer transfer window, Bayern Munich was heavily connected with a bid for the midfielder, but Walker later reversed course and is now ready to commit his future to the European champions.
Speaking to BBC, Walker said: “Decisions can be made, things can turn. It was close but in football, things can happen. It wasn’t meant to be. 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.”
When asked when he would sign the dotted line, Walker added: “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?
“I am a Manchester City player. I am contracted to them so what do you want me to do? Turn around 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.”