PEP: I'LL FIGHT FOR KYLE

Guardiola vows to convince Walker to snub Bayern move

- SIMON MULLOCK

PEP GUARDIOLA has vowed to continue his fight to convince Kyle Walker to snub Bayern Munich and stay at Manchester City.

Guardiola is desperate not to lose the England full-back to his former club after seeing skipper Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez desert him in the six weeks since the Blues completed the Treble.

City face Bayern in a pre-season friendly today - and Guardiola insists he will play Walker despite reports from Germany that a deal is close for the Bundesliga champions to snatch the 33-year-old defender away from the Etihad.

Guardiola said: "Kyle is incredibly important for us. He has specific qualities that are so difficult to find.

"I don't know what's going to happen. Both clubs are in touch but we will fight for him. Kyle is still 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?"

City have offered Walker a twoyear extension on a deal that still has 12 months to run.

But Bayern believe he wants to take up a new challenge abroad.

Four years ago, Guardiola played Leroy Sane against Liverpool in the Community Shield when Bayern launched a charm offensive for the German winger and he suffered a season-ending knee injury.