Manchester City’s experienced defender, Kyle Walker, appears to be on the brink of committing to a new contract with the club.
Despite strong interest from Bayern Munich during the summer transfer window, their pursuit seems destined to end in failure.
For weeks, speculation has surrounded Walker’s future, with Bayern making him a priority target. At one point, it seemed that the German giants, while still focused on signing Harry Kane from Tottenham Hotspur, were close to reaching an agreement with Walker.
However, Pep Guardiola, head coach of Manchester City, has been adamant about retaining the services of the 33-year-old. In a recent statement, Guardiola emphasized the importance of keeping Walker within the team.
According to the Daily Mail, Walker is now nearing a deal for a 12-month contract extension at the Etihad Stadium. This extension will secure his presence until the summer of 2025.
Walker holds a significant role within the team and is considered one of the leaders at Manchester City. Having joined the club from Tottenham Hotspur in 2017, he has made 255 appearances, scoring six goals and providing 18 assists.
Throughout his time at the Etihad Stadium, Walker has enjoyed success, winning five Premier League titles, two FA Cup trophies, four EFL Cups, two Community Shields, and the Champions League.
Despite being on the bench for the Champions League final last season, Walker remained a crucial contributor to Manchester City’s campaign, appearing in 39 matches across all competitions.
This season, Walker will face competition from new arrival Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig. However, the Englishman showcased his importance by playing the full 90 minutes and captaining the side in the Community Shield against Arsenal.
With Bayern Munich’s hopes of signing Walker diminishing, they will likely shift their focus to securing another defender, especially as Benjamin Pavard is expected to depart Allianz Arena soon. Manchester United has shown interest in signing the French international, whose contract has less than a year remaining.
Meanwhile, Manchester City is linked with potential transfers for Lucas Paqueta from West Ham United and Kaoru Mitoma from Brighton & Hove Albion. The team kicks off their Premier League title defense against Burnley on Friday night.