Kyle Walker asks to leave Manchester City, wants to play abroad, says Pep Guardiola - 'He's been amazing'
Updated 11/01/2025 at 21:37 GMT
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Pep Guardiola has revealed that Kyle Walker has signalled his intention to leave Manchester City. The full-back did not make the bench for The Citizens' 8-0 win over Salford City in the FA Cup on Saturday. Asked about the 34-year-old in his post-match interview, Guardiola said: “Two days ago, Kyle asked to explore the options to play abroad and end his career”.
Guardiola reveals Walker wants to leave Man City and ‘explore options abroad’
Video credit: SNTV
Kyle Walker wants to leave Manchester City, manager Pep Guardiola revealed after his side's 8-0 FA Cup win over Salford.
The full-back was not in the City squad on Saturday and has not started a game since the 2-1 defeat in the Manchester derby last month.
Walker has been at the club since 2017, establishing himself as a key figure under Guardiola in City's most successful-ever team.
But his form has dipped dramatically this season, and he faced criticism amid a dismal run of results at the end of 2024.
Speaking after the win over Salford, Guardiola said: "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?
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Video credit: SNTV
"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."
Guardiola added: "He went to the club. I’m pretty convinced that there is no one person in our job that doesn’t want to be where they are, [and] can perform.
"He’s asking to explore [his options] so it may not happen, we don’t know, you never know. Explore the situation and I respect it a lot. I am more than grateful for what he has done for many years for us.
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"He arrived eight years ago with us and we started to win, win, win, win, and he has been important for the national team and, of course, with our team.
"But he has said he wants to explore in his mind and in his heart and wants to explore it. Honestly? I don’t know what is going to happen."
Guardiola said he did not know if Walker would join a Saudi Pro League club, but there is reportedly interest from clubs in the division.
The 34-year-old has made 18 appearances in all competitions for City so far this season and featured three times for England in the UEFA Nations League.
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