A Manchester City star has now revealed how Pep Guardiola convinced him to reject a major exit from the Etihad in the latest transfer window.
Kyle Walker has opened up about snubbing a potential move to Bayern Munich in favour of staying at the Manchester side after having a one-on-one dinner with the City manager.
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The England international may have thought his time at the Citizens had come to an end when he started on the bench for the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League final against Inter Milan. but despite an enticing offer from the Bavarians and being close to accepting it, he ultimately decided to stay in Manchester.
"It wasn't like I was going to a worse club, because Bayern is a massive club, and seeing what Harry [Kane] is doing there and will do, it wasn't a step down. It was just which club gave me the years in my contract to play football at the highest level," Walker said, as per the Daily Mirror.
"Of course I would have done [enjoyed playing for Bayern]. But this club 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'm going to get enough game time that's right for me? That's all I want."
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The club's stand-in captain then revealed that it was a dinner with Guardiola, during which the tactician gave him an insight in to his future plans, that convinced him he would get the playing time he wanted, and ultimate choose to stay in Manchester.
"We've got a really good relationship and he was kind enough to invite me out for food. He paid the bill – for once!" Walker added.
"It was good to know his plans for the future and for this season and what he wants to do.
"Being one of the senior members – and standing in as captain while Kevin [De Bruyne] goes through what he's gone through – it was important to get Pep's views and put my view of what the lads feel for the season going forward."
Reports suggest that the 33-year-old is set to sign a new three-year deal with the Citizens.
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Walker began his glittering spell at City when he joined them from Tottenham Hotspur in 2017, and has since made 260 appearances for the reigning treble holders, winning five Premier League titles and one Champions League trophy along the way.