Kyle Walker has emerged as a potential transfer target for Bayern Munich amid the prospect of a departure from Manchester City.
The 33-year-old is out of contract next year and so this summer represents the last chance for City could to command a sizeable transfer fee for the defender. Walker has played more than 250 times for City since moving to the Etihad Stadium in 2017 from Tottenham Hotspur in a £50m deal.
Over the past six years he has won five Premier League titles, the FA Cup twice, four League Cups and the Champions League. In the 2022/23 campaign, Walker made 39 appearances and though he played regularly, he was a substitute in the Champions League final win over Inter Milan.
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German side Bayern are keen on Walker, The Times reports, and though there is plenty of work and discussions still be be done, the defender is said to be keen to move on to pastures new. Walker faces what is likely going to be the last big transfer move of his career.
And Pep Guardiola has perhaps already hinted why this summer might be when Walker moves on. In his ever evolving coaching style the boss employed a fresh tactic this season. Playing with a back three, it was a common sight to see central defender John Stones, and before him Rico Lewis, deployed in central midfield.
Guardiola was asked earlier in the campaign about Walker's place in the line-up and said in April: No, he cannot do it. He will always have pace – Kyle at 60 years old will be the fastest player in this room.
“To play inside you have to have educated movements that he doesn’t have every one of the characteristics. He has done really, really well but this shape of three at the back and two in the middle, he cannot do it.
“It is just a question of skills. The quality sometimes you need specific things, there are players whose qualities would be like asking Riyad Mahrez playing full-back and he cannot play as a full-back.”
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