Pep Guardiola insists Kyle Walker is a ‘very important player’ for Man City and vows the club will ‘FIGHT for him’ – as Bayern Munich close in on the England defender

Manchester City are fighting to keep hold of Kyle Walker during talks with Bayern Munich, Pep Guardiola confirmed.

Walker is weighing up a move to the Bundesliga champions in what would prove a major blow to Guardiola just weeks before the season starts.

Bayern – who are also attempting to land Harry Kane from Tottenham – are keen to press ahead and seal a deal while the two clubs are in Tokyo ahead of Wednesday’s friendly.

‘Kyle is incredibly important for us,’ Guardiola said. ‘He has specific qualities that are so difficult to find out wide. I don’t know what’s going to happen. Both clubs are in touch. We will fight for him like I’m sure Bayern will. I don’t know how it will finish.’

The City boss did claim that Walker will feature against Bayern at the Japan National Stadium despite reports in Germany that the England international would be left out.

Walker has reportedly reached a verbal agreement but the clubs are yet to agree on a fee

‘Yes of course, he’s still our player,’ Guardiola added. ‘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?’

Ruben Dias said: ‘It’s not like any other profession when things may be stable. We need to adapt, let’s see what happens. The two names [Walker, Bernardo] are two very important players, if they stay they’ll continue to be important.’

Guardiola has puzzles to sort with stars who could leave the Treble winners but also on his own bench, with a sparse backroom staff out here in Asia.

Last year’s No 2 Enzo Maresca secured the top job at Leicester City, and signed youngster Callum Doyle on loan, while long-time coach Rodolfo Borrell has taken up a sporting director role at Austin in MLS.

Guardiola is understood to want former assistant Juanma Lillo back. Lillo, considered Guardiola’s tactical mentor as a younger coach, has been in Qatar with Al Sadd but departed earlier in the month.

Thomas Tuchel revealed that his side did not purchase Joao Cancelo due to financial reasons

The likes of Enzo Maresa, above, have left City’s staff recently, creating another problem

Guardiola did, however, hint at the prospect of a payment required to the Spaniard’s former employers.

He added: ‘He’s in Qatar, under contract. I have a list of 10 people. They are all expensive! I’m joking. I have a few people in mind but I cannot say more.

‘I don’t know what happens with my assistants, I take care of them really well and all the time they drop me! If you want to come to my bench I have a space now.’

Meanwhile, Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel revealed that they did not take up an option to purchase Joao Cancelo because of finances and that new full back Raphael Guerreiro was available on a free transfer.