English international Kyle Walker has announced his decision to extend his contract with Manchester City, rejecting a potential move to Bayern Munich this summer.
The news has sent shockwaves through the footballing world as fans and pundits alike speculated about the future of the talented right-back.
Walker’s existing contract with Manchester City was set to run until 2024, but earlier this summer, doubts surfaced about his future with the club following reports of a fallout with manager Pep Guardiola during the previous season. However, against the odds, Walker has chosen to continue his journey with the Premier League champions.
Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich had been strongly linked with a move for the 32-year-old defender during the summer transfer window. However, Walker had a change of heart, and he is now on the verge of committing his future to Manchester City, the reigning European champions.
Speaking to the BBC about his decision, 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.”
Walker emphasized that his choice was about securing the most years in his contract to continue playing at the highest level. He added, “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.”
As for when the new contract will be finalized, Walker stated, “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.”
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