Kyle Walker has made the decision to seek a move abroad, a move that could bring an end to his highly successful seven-year tenure at Manchester City. The 34-year-old England international, who has been a key figure in the club’s recent success, was left out of Manchester City’s 8-0 FA Cup third-round victory over Salford City on January 11, 2025. Pep Guardiola, the club’s manager, confirmed that Walker had requested to explore the possibility of a move abroad, revealing that the defender had made the same request after the club’s treble-winning season in 2023, when Bayern Munich showed interest, though the offer did not meet City’s expectations.
Guardiola, speaking after the Salford match, explained that Walker had approached Txiki Begiristain, the club’s sporting director, with his request. Guardiola emphasized that Walker’s contribution to the club’s success over the past years had been invaluable, stating that the team’s achievements would be impossible to imagine without him. However, Guardiola also made it clear that he preferred to field players whose commitment to the club was unwavering, which led to his decision to leave Walker out of the FA Cup squad.
While Guardiola expressed respect for Walker’s decision and acknowledged the defender’s importance to both Manchester City and the England national team, he also made it clear that he believed a player’s mindset was crucial to their performance. He emphasized that a player who does not fully want to be at the club cannot perform at their best. Despite this, Guardiola remained uncertain about whether Walker’s move would materialize, acknowledging that the situation could change and that he respected the player’s desire to explore new opportunities.
Since joining Manchester City from Tottenham Hotspur in 2017 for a £45 million transfer fee, Walker has been an integral part of the team’s defense. Over the years, he has won six Premier League titles, the Champions League, two FA Cups, four League Cups, the UEFA Super Cup, and the Club World Cup. His consistent performances and leadership on the pitch have earned him a reputation as one of the best right-backs in the world.
Given that Walker’s contract with Manchester City runs until the summer of 2026, his transfer fee is expected to be relatively modest due to his age. As a result, the news of his potential move abroad has caught the attention of several European clubs, as well as teams in Saudi Arabia and the United States, who may be interested in securing his services.
Although Walker’s future remains uncertain, his request to explore options abroad has sparked speculation about where he might go next. Whether or not a move materializes in the current transfer window remains to be seen, but it seems clear that his time at Manchester City could be coming to a close after a remarkable period of success.
