Why I Rejected Bayern To Stay At Man City – Kyle Walker 

In light of an impending new deal, Kyle Walker has given an explanation for why he chose to remain at Manchester City and refuse a move to Bayern Munich this summer.

The England international’s current deal with the club is valid until 2024, but he ultimately decided to stay despite early concerns about his future following a rumoured spat with manager Pep Guardiola last season.

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Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich were closely linked with a move for the player at one point during the summer transfer window but Walker later made a U-turn and is now all set to commit his future to the European champions.

Walker told the BBC that things might change and decisions could be made. Despite being close, anything can happen in football. It was not intended to be. Have I been able to enjoy the experience? Of course I would, but this is a fantastic club, and you cannot undervalue what this club has accomplished over the past six to 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.”

Walker added, when asked if he would sign the contract, “The extension is coming. I’ve been here for seven seasons and I still feel like one of the veterans. It’s a place I adore. Why would you want to leave a club where you’ve experienced things you could only imagine, especially in the most recent season?

“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.”

Kyle Walker’s next appearance for England will be against Ukraine on September 9 in a Euro 2024 qualifying match, followed by a friendly match against Scotland on September 12.