Kyle Walker reveals how dinner with Pep Guardiola convinced him to turn down Bayern Munich and stay at Man City… as he admits he came ‘very close’ to joining Harry Kane in Bavaria

Kyle Walker has revealed that a sushi dinner with Pep Guardiola convinced him to stay at Manchester City, turning down an offer from Bayern Munich.

The 33-year-old is on the verge of signing a new three-year contract with the Premier League champions but admitted he had come very close, so he left England for Germany this summer.

Bayern agreed personal terms with the England international on a two-year contract, bAfter meeting Guardiola for dinner, Walker changed his mind and chose to stay in Manchester.

“I have a really good relationship with Pep and he was kind enough to invite me to dinner,” he said. The times.

‘He paid the bill for once!

The right-back revealed how a dinner with Pep Guardiola convinced him to stay at the Etihad

It was good to know what his plans are for the future and this season and what he wants to do.

“As one of the senior members – and as captain – it was important to hear Pep’s opinion and give my vision of what the boys feel about the season ahead.”

Harry Kane moved from the Premier League to the Bundesliga this summer and Walker admitted he would have loved the chance to play for Bayern.

“It was close, but things can happen in football,” he said.

‘Decisions can be made. Things can change. It wasn’t meant to be.

‘Would I have enjoyed the experience? Of course I would have.’

At the same time, he admitted it would have been difficult to leave City after six seasons at Etihad.

“I love this place, I’ve experienced things here that I only dreamed of – especially last season – so why would you want to leave a club like this?” he said.

Walker had agreed personal terms on a two-year deal with Bayern Munich, where he could have been reunited with England teammate Harry Kane (above)

“It was about who gave me the most years (on contract) (…) It was exactly what gave me the years in my contract to play football at the highest level.”

While City have traditionally been reluctant to offer long-term deals to experienced players, they appear to have made an exception for Walker, who will be 36 by the time his new contract expires.

While the former Tottenham defender lost his starting spot last season and played just eight minutes in the Champions League final against Inter Milan, City would be out of options as a right-back if he left.

Instead, Walker has played every minute of City’s four Premier League games so far, playing 120 minutes in both the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal and the UEFA Super Cup final against Sevilla.

He has also been given the captain’s armband on an interim basis following Kevin De Bruyne’s injury on the opening weekend of the season.

Walker (right) won the treble with City last season and is aiming for more silverware

The 33-year-old has taken over the captain’s armband in Kevin De Bruyne’s absence

Walker is determined to make this position his own permanently.

“I’m enjoying this opportunity,” he added.

“I’m very grateful and hopefully I’ll be deputy captain until Kevin comes back or I get the official (position), that’s up to the boys and staff.

“It’s an honor of privilege, of course I want it. If you can’t pass on your knowledge and life experience, both on and off the field, I shouldn’t be playing at such a great club.’