Man City transfers: Pep Guardiola warns Bayern Munich he will ‘fight’ to keep Kyle Walker

Pep Guardiola has warned Bayern Munich he will ‘fight’ to keep defender Kyle Walker this summer.

The Manchester City defender has attracted interest from the German champions, with reports suggesting Walker has agreed terms with the club and has discussed the possibility of a move with Guardiola during the club’s pre-season tour.

City are currently in Tokyo and will face Bayern on Wednesday in their second friendly of the summer. Both the City and Bayern managers faced the media ahead of the game and were questioned about the chances of Walker completing a transfer this window.

“I hear the comments from Thomas [Tuchel] about Kyle, I will say the same: no comment,” Guardiola said on Tuesday. “I will say he’s an incredibly important player for us. He has specific qualities, so difficult to find worldwide. His specific qualities are irreplaceable.

“We want him, yes. In the end, I don’t know what will happen. I know we’re in contact both clubs, we will fight for him like I’m sure Bayern will do it. I don’t know how it will finish.”

There were reports earlier this week that Walker wouldn’t play in Wednesday’s friendly due his impending transfer, but Guardiola said these claims are unfounded.

“Yes of course [Walker will play], he’s still our player,” the City boss explained. “He’s our player. We need to play against Bayern with our best players and we hope he’ll stay with us for the whole season. Why shouldn’t he play?”

Walker has played 254 times for City since his 2017 transfer from Tottenham Hotspur, including 39 appearances in last season’s treble-winning campaign. Yet Guardiola’s decision to omit him from the Champions League final XI, and the Catalan’s use of four centre-backs as the season progressed, have led to Walker’s interest in a move away from the Etihad.