AC Milan are reported to be talks to sign Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker after Pep Guardiola announced the defender wants to leave the club this month
City might have beaten Salford Salford City 8-0 in the FA Cup on Saturday evening, but headlines were dominated by the news that Walker had asked to leave the champions.
Guardiola told reporters in the aftermath of the win that Walker would like to leave, saying: "He'd like to explore another country to play his last years, for many reasons, and for that reason, I preferred playing other players (against Salford)."
The right-back has not started any of his side's last five games, and there is little reason to believe that he will get back into the XI considering City are unbeaten in their four most recent matches, winning three times in that period.
The Telegraph report that AC Milan are keen to sign Walker, who is said to want to end his playing career abroad.
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Has Kyle Walker lost his place in the England XI?
It would not be unfair to argue that Walker has failed to meet his own usually high standards, with the Englishman noticeably weak from a defensive perspective against the likes of Bournemouth in early November.
The defender was vital for Guardiola in previous years but his lightening pace seems to be waning, and his ability to prevent counter-attacks leading to dangerous chances has undoubtedly lessened.
Thomas Tuchel replaced Gareth Southgate as England boss after Euro 2024, and given Walker's poor form, his place as a starter for his national team at the 2026 World Cup may be in danger.
The 34-year-old right-back will need to feature regularly if he is to re-establish himself as England's first-choice right-back, but he is unlikely to do so if he remains behind Rico Lewis in City's pecking order.
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Kyle Walker's legacy
Perhaps Walker expressed his desire to leave in light of City agreeing a deal with Lens to sign centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov in the past days, and it may be the case that the veteran full-back views the incoming defender as his direct replacement.
Some fans had clamoured for the England international to be replaced considering the champions are on track to concede 51 goals in the top flight, the most since 2007-08.
However, the defender is almost certain to be remembered as one of the Premier League's best ever right-backs given his starring role in six of City's six titles, as well as their Champions League triumph in 2022-23.
If Walker was to transfer to AC Milan, he could add further silverware to his collection, especially as the Italian side have often been competitive at the top of Serie A, finishing in the top two three times in the last four seasons.
Lewis Nolan
