Manchester City captain Kyle Walker admits the publicity over his family issues almost saw him leave for Bayern Munich.
Walker had agreed a move before pulling out last summer.
He told The Sun: 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."