Pep Guardiola declares Man City legend has asked to leave club in January transfer window
Today at 03:43 PM
Pep Guardiola has sensationally revealed that Kyle Walker has asked to leave Manchester City.
The Citizens legend was absent for his side’s 8-0 FA Cup win over Salford City with the club initially explaining he wasn’t injured and calling it a ‘technical issue’.
Yet Guardiola cleared things up comprehensively post match as he revealed: “Well it’s not easy for me to say as Kyle’s not here.
“But two days ago Kyle asked to explore the options to play abroad and end his career.
“He asked two years ago to travel, Bayern Munich wanted him, but the offer was not good enough. I asked [told] him and the club asked him how important he is.
“We can not understand the success we’ve had these years without Kyle, it’s impossible.
“He’s been our right back and gives us something that we didn’t have and he’s been amazing.
“But now in his mind he would like to explore something and play in another country for many reasons.”
He added: “For that reason, I prefer to play other players whose mind is here.
"He went to the club, he went to Txiki [Begiristain] but of course, maybe I'm wrong, but there's not one person in our job, whatever job, that when they don't want to be where they are, they can still perform, can be exactly what they want to be.
"He asked to explore and that doesn't mean it's gonna happen because we never know, but we support the situation, the position, and I respect it a lot because I am more than grateful for what he has done these many years for us after arriving eight years ago.
"The seasons he was here we started to win, win, win, win, he has been important with the national team, important with our team, but he said I want to explore my mind and my heart and I want to explore it.
"Honestly, I don't know if it's going to happen, but that's all I can say.
talkSPORT understands that the England international is a target for Saudi Pro League clubs.
Walker admitted he came close to leaving City in 2023 to link up with Three Lions teammate Harry Kane at Bayern Munich.
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.
More to follow…
