-Credit:Getty Images
Pep Guardiola has revealed that Kyle Walker has asked to leave Manchester City.
The defender has endured a tough season at the Etihad and has become a liability at right-back with repeated defensive errors throughout the campaign. Walker’s personal life has also been splashed across the front pages of the newspapers and he has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia in recent days.
The 34-year-old nearly joined Bayern Munich after City’s 2023 Champions League triumph and admitted in an interview last year that he ‘tried to escape’ before stories surrounding his private life became public knowledge.
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Instead, Walker signed a new deal in September 2023. But it has become clear in recent months that his time as an elite defender is drawing to a close and the ex-Tottenham Hotspur man hasn’t started any of City’s last four matches.
He was left out of the squad altogether for the FA Cup third-round tie against Salford City and Guardiola revealed after the game that his captain has indicated he would like to leave the club.
“It’s not easy for me to say because he should say, but he’s not here, so two days ago Kyle asked to explore the options to play abroad at the end of his career,” the City manager said after the 8-0 win.
“He asked two years ago after the treble, Bayern Munich I think wanted him, but the offer was not good enough and I and the club [told] him how important he is. You cannot understand the success we have had these years without Kyle, it’s impossible, he gave us something we didn’t have, he’s been amazing.
Walker could have played his final game for Manchester City -Credit:Getty Images
“But now in his mind he would like to explore already to go to another country to play the last years for many reasons, and for that reason I played other players whose mind is here.”
The news comes as City closes in on two defensive arrivals. The reigning Premier League champions have reportedly agreed a deal to sign Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens for a fee of £33.5m ($41m/€40m). City is also said to be in talks with Palmeiras regarding the possible arrival of talented youngster Vitor Reis.
Eintracht Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush is the third player to be seriously linked with a January move to east Manchester as City aims to fix its disastrous campaign. Guardiola’s side is currently in sixth place and 12 points off leaders Liverpool having played a game more.
As for Walker, the experienced defender has made 319 appearances for City since his 2017 arrival and has won every major honor possible, including six league titles.