- Kyle Walker intends to explore options abroad after recent struggles at City
- Pep Guardiola was questioned on the topic again ahead of clash with Brentford
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Pep Guardiola has addressed Kyle Walker’s future again after the Manchester City star asked to leave the club to go and play abroad.
City’s skipper was a notable omission from the squad that thrashed Salford City 8-0 in Saturday’s FA Cup third round tie, with Guardiola revealing after the game of Walker’s intentions to seek pastures new this month.
A January departure would bring an end to Walker’s six-and-a-half years at the Etihad and Guardiola was asked for an update on the defender’s future ahead of facing Brentford on Tuesday.
‘I said what I said. I won’t add anything else. I don’t have any news. It’s Brentford in my mind,’ the City boss responded.
AC Milan are favourites to sign Walker this month and will hold further talks with him in the coming days.
Milan consultant Zlatan Ibrahimovic has played a pivotal role in negotiations and the Italian club are hopeful of reaching accord with City ahead of rival competition coming to the fore.
Pep Guardiola addressed Kyle Walker’s future again ahead of facing Brentford on Tuesday
Walker intends to explore options abroad after recent struggles at the Etihad
AC Milan are favourites to sign the veteran this month and will hold further talks this week
A move for Walker would put paid to Milan’s proposed loan deal for Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford as, post-Brexit, Serie A regulations only permit Italian clubs to sign one British player per transfer window.
His prolific reputation as one of the world’s best defenders has also continued to capture the interest of Saudi Arabian sides with a host of heavy-spending teams including Al Nassr, Al Ittihad, Al Ahli all showing interest.
Walker could decide to follow his former City team-mate Riyad Mahrez to the oil-rich kingdom and wouldn’t be short of suitors who could offer the veteran a massive payday as he enters the twilight years of his career.
The 34-year-old is unlikely to attract a long-term offer from an elite club given his age but could sign a shorter contract with competing Champions League club as Bayern Munich consider making another approach after previously being rejected by Walker.
Guardiola confirmed Walker’s desire to leave the reigning English champions after City’s win over Salford, stating: ‘Two days ago Kyle asked to explore the options to play abroad at the end of his career.
‘He asked two years ago after the Treble. Bayern Munich wanted him but the offer was not good enough. I asked him, the club asked him, how important is this?
‘We cannot understand the success the club had these years without Kyle. It’s impossible. He gave us something we didn’t have and he’s been amazing.
‘But now in his mind he would like to explore to go to another country. For that reason, I prefer to play other players whose mind is here, that’s all.’
Walker has been at the heart of City’s trophy-laden era under Guardiola, having won six Premier League titles, the Champions League, two FA Cups, four League Cups, the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup in seven glittering seasons at the Etihad.
