Kyle Walker admits almost joining Bayern Munich was attempt to 'escape' affair backlash

Manchester City captain Kyle Walker has admitted he was "very close" to joining Bayern Munich last summer as he sought to "escape" the expected media storm over issues in his personal life.

Following promising talks in July, Bayern left the negotiating table feeling optimistic that Walker would choose to join them. The player had previously informed City of a desire to move on shortly after being left out of the starting lineup for the 2023 Champions League final.

City wanted the England defender to stay and were always hopeful they would be able to convince him to sign a new contract, which he did – until 2026 – shortly after the transfer window closed. But there was more to Walker's desire to leave and decision to stay than football choices.

Earlier this month, it came to light that Walker had fathered a second child with Lauryn Goodman, the same woman with whom he already has a son born in 2020 after a fling during a turbulent time in his marriage to wife Annie Walker. He was later taken back into the family home for the sake of the couple's three children but was recently told to leave after she eventually found out about the birth of his second extra-marital child. Annie is also currently pregnant with their fourth child.

Walker knew months earlier that it was unavoidable and told The Sun with reference to almost joining Bayern during the summer: "I tried to escape. Did I want to leave City? No, of course I didn't. We're the best team in the world at the minute. But it was a chance to get away from England and the media I was going to get. I was aware the clock was ticking. I came very close to moving. We were having conversations. I was going to a great club, a massive club. But in the end I couldn't go.

"If I'm in Germany and this happens, Annie leaves and I'm now in Germany on my own. My kids wouldn't be around the corner where I can see them. There's pain and emotion at the moment, but I can go to the house, take the kids to school, and my little lad to football."

Walker is believed to currently be living alone in a rented property.

As part of the interview, he also publicly apologised to his now estranged wife.

"What I've done is horrible and I take full responsibility," he said. "I made idiot choices and idiot decisions. I can't begin to think or imagine what Annie is going through. I've tried to ask her but there's pain and hurt.

"It's my fault. It's completely my fault. It's what I've done. But the children are innocent in all of this and that has to be at the forefront of everyone's minds. I don't know what the future will hold. But I needed to give an explanation. My family, the children have been put through enough and I am to blame."

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