The Man City team meetings that convinced Kyle Walker to stay amid Bayern Munich offer

Pep Guardiola did everything he could to convince Kyle Walker to stay at Manchester City this summer, but ultimately it was his teammates who persuaded the full-back not to join Bayern Munich. Walker had an offer to join Bayern after starting the Champions League final on the bench, but changed his mind after Guardiola and the City squad sprung into action.

The 33-year-old signed a new contract on Thursday to stay at City until 2026. Guardiola said that Walker's performances in pre-season, when he captained the side in their three friendlies, and all but one game after the season started, convinced him of his importance within the group, describing Walker's qualities as a full-back unique in world football.

And when his teammates got wind of Walker's offer to join Bayern, Guardiola says they 'demanded' that their leader did not leave, even holding meetings with Walker to plead their case.

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"We talked a lot, with his mates, with the club, after he decides," Guardiola said. "Playing or not playing, Kyle since day one has been really important in our success. Our success belongs to him for the amount of games.

"I was so sad not to let him play in the final of the Champions League because with their buildup I thought Manu [Akanji] might help us. But look at the response since then in every pre-season game. Committed with the team. He made me realise how important he is, how he behaves on and off the pitch.

"When I spoke with his teammates they told me Kyle could not leave. He's really important in the locker room and he has made a step forward with specific