{"id":289447,"date":"2023-09-04T10:51:43","date_gmt":"2023-09-04T10:51:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tellmysport.com\/?p=289447"},"modified":"2023-09-04T10:51:43","modified_gmt":"2023-09-04T10:51:43","slug":"pep-guardiola-took-kyle-walker-out-for-dinner-and-paid-to-kill-summer-exit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tellmysport.com\/soccer\/pep-guardiola-took-kyle-walker-out-for-dinner-and-paid-to-kill-summer-exit\/","title":{"rendered":"Pep Guardiola took Kyle Walker out for dinner and paid to kill summer exit"},"content":{"rendered":"
Pep Guardiola took Kyle Walker out for a sushi dinner in a bid to convince him to stay at Manchester City over the summer, it has been revealed. The England defender was heavily linked with a move to Bayern Munich throughout the window but is now poised to sign a new deal at the Etihad Stadium.<\/p>\n
Walker played a huge part in City’s treble-winning season last time out before he was given a dilemma over whether to embark on a new challenge in Germany. He reportedly agreed personal terms with Bayern but ultimately decided to remain in Manchester after having dinner with Guardiola, who he credits with convincing him to stay.<\/p>\n
“I have a really good relationship with Pep and he was kind enough to invite me out for food,” Walker told The Times. “He paid the bill, for once! It was good to know his plans for the future and for this season and what he wants to do.<\/p>\n
“Being one of the senior members, and standing in the captaincy, it was important to get Pep\u2019s views and put my view of what the lads feel for the season coming forward. It was close but in football things can happen, decisions can be made, things can turn. It wasn\u2019t meant to be.”<\/p>\n
JUST IN: <\/strong> Ben Chilwell urges Chelsea to fix major issue as Mauricio Pochettino pins blame<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Walker went on to admit that he was tempted by the prospect of joining Bayern but chose to stay at City, with his decision also being influenced by the length of contract on offer. The defending Premier League champions are usually reluctant to offer long-term deals to players over 30 but they appear to have made an exception for Walker.<\/p>\n “Would I have enjoyed the experience? Of course I would have done,” he added. “[But] I love the place, I\u2019ve experienced things I only dreamed of here, especially the last season, so why would you want to leave a club like this? It was about who gave me the most years [on a contract]. It was just what gave me the years in my contract to play football at the highest level.”<\/p>\n We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n Don’t miss… <\/strong> <\/p>\n Walker has since emerged as City’s stand-in skipper following Kevin de Bruyne’s injury in their opening game of the season against Burnley. He is determined to make the position his own on a permanent basis after playing every minute in the Premier League since the beginning of the campaign.<\/p>\n “I am relishing the opportunity,” he said. “I am very grateful and hopefully I am stand-in captain until Kevin comes back or I get the official [position], that is up to the lads and staff. It is an honour of privilege, of course I want it. If you can\u2019t pass on your knowledge and life experiences on or off the field I shouldn\u2019t be playing at a great club like this.”<\/p>\n Want the latest Premier League news as we publish it on\u00a0Express Sport<\/i>? Join our Facebook group by clicking\u00a0<\/b>here<\/b>.<\/p>\n
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