Kyle Walker says goodbyes to Man City teammates with Milan move set to be sealed
Kyle Walker is expected in Italy on Tuesday to tie up his move to AC Milan. The 34-year-old said goodbye to his Manchester City teammates at the club’s training ground on Monday. Walker is a club icon, but is set to leave imminentlyGetty The England full-back has been offered a two-and-a-half year contract by the Serie A giants. He is expected to leave City on a free, despite having 18 months left on his contract. City boss Pep Guardiola revealed after their FA Cup win over Salford City on January 11 that Walker had made it clear that he wants to leave the club. Guardiola told talkSPORT: “He said to the club two days ago that he wants to explore going abroad. He wants to finish his career in another place. “He asked two years ago and I tried to convince him to commit to stay and he signed a contract and he was really important and won the Premier League last season as a captain. “Now he’s saying that he would like to go to another country in this transfer window. “He’s a player who when he’s fit and he’s focused with the attitude as a player he can play one, two, three more years. “I’ve never seen a physical condition like he has in my life. All the success we’ve had in the eight years belongs a huge part to him and the guys almost had 100 games with the England national team. “I don’t need to tell you how important he’s been but now he’s said to the club that he wants another experience – to explore was the word – and we will see what happens.” Walker is one of England’s greatest ever defenders and has been a critical part of City’s success GettyHe has been at the club since 2017 after joining from Tottenham and has won every major honour[/caption] Asked if Walker would leave with his blessing, Guardiola continued: “When the players want to leave I’m not the guy… “I try to convince (them) but in certain moments when they want to do it I’m not that guy. “The other question… the club at the end they have the last word on exactly what’s going to happen.” The England international was targeted by clubs in the Saudi Pro League but talkSPORT understands Walker chose Milan in the hope of keeping his chances of staying in the Three Lions side alive. Walker admitted he came close to leaving City in 2023 to link up with Three Lions teammate Harry Kane at Bayern Munich. Guardiola confirmed that it was his old club Bayern who nearly signed Walker, but revealed that their offer wasn’t enough. The full-back joined City from Tottenham in 2017 for £45million and he’s since proved to be worth every penny. With the club he’s won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups, and the Holy Grail of the Champions League in 2023. AC Milan senior advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic confirmed last week the club’s interest in signing Walker. “Everyone knows that Walker is a great player, he did great things at City,” the legendary former Sweden and Manchester United striker said. “When there is someone like him on the market there is a lot of interest. It doesn’t go against our vision, because he is strong, he is a leader, he has dominance in the dressing room. Now we are checking if it is possible.”
Kyle Walker is expected in Italy on Tuesday to tie up his move to AC Milan.
The 34-year-old said goodbye to his Manchester City teammates at the club’s training ground on Monday.
The England full-back has been offered a two-and-a-half year contract by the Serie A giants.
He is expected to leave City on a free, despite having 18 months left on his contract.
City boss Pep Guardiola revealed after their FA Cup win over Salford City on January 11 that Walker had made it clear that he wants to leave the club.
Guardiola told talkSPORT: “He said to the club two days ago that he wants to explore going abroad. He wants to finish his career in another place.
“He asked two years ago and I tried to convince him to commit to stay and he signed a contract and he was really important and won the Premier League last season as a captain.
“Now he’s saying that he would like to go to another country in this transfer window.
“He’s a player who when he’s fit and he’s focused with the attitude as a player he can play one, two, three more years.
“I’ve never seen a physical condition like he has in my life. All the success we’ve had in the eight years belongs a huge part to him and the guys almost had 100 games with the England national team.
“I don’t need to tell you how important he’s been but now he’s said to the club that he wants another experience – to explore was the word – and we will see what happens.”
Asked if Walker would leave with his blessing, Guardiola continued: “When the players want to leave I’m not the guy…
“I try to convince (them) but in certain moments when they want to do it I’m not that guy.
“The other question… the club at the end they have the last word on exactly what’s going to happen.”
The England international was targeted by clubs in the Saudi Pro League but talkSPORT understands Walker chose Milan in the hope of keeping his chances of staying in the Three Lions side alive.
Walker admitted he came close to leaving City in 2023 to link up with Three Lions teammate Harry Kane at Bayern Munich.
Guardiola confirmed that it was his old club Bayern who nearly signed Walker, but revealed that their offer wasn’t enough.
The full-back joined City from Tottenham in 2017 for £45million and he’s since proved to be worth every penny.
With the club he’s won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups, and the Holy Grail of the Champions League in 2023.
AC Milan senior advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic confirmed last week the club’s interest in signing Walker.
“Everyone knows that Walker is a great player, he did great things at City,” the legendary former Sweden and Manchester United striker said.
“When there is someone like him on the market there is a lot of interest. It doesn’t go against our vision, because he is strong, he is a leader, he has dominance in the dressing room. Now we are checking if it is possible.”
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