The frontrunners for Kyle Walker's signature after the Manchester City star asked to leave the club to play abroad have been revealed in the circle of European and global giants.
Walker was absent from City's matchday squad due to their 8–0 FA Cup third round defeat to lower league rivals Salford, despite being fit and available for selection.
City boss Pep Guardiola initially suggested the team captain had not been selected for tactical reasons, before confirming after Saturday's cup win that Walker had spoken to him and asked to leave to 'explore opportunities abroad'.
Now the clubs attempting to sign the England international have been revealed, with AC Milan the latest to join the mix for Walker.
The Italian giants are showing solid interest in Premier League talent this month, with their interest in Walker also supported by their communication with Marcus Rashford's camp to bring the Man United star to Milan.
Walker has previously indicated his interest in leaving City, completing a spell in which he won six Premier League titles and the Champions League, among several other major club honours.
His prolific reputation as one of the world's best defenders has also attracted the attention of Saudi Arabian sides, with a host of big-spending teams including Al Nassr, Al Ittihad and Al Ahli all showing interest.
Walker could decide to follow his former City teammate Riyad Mahrez to the oil-rich kingdom and would have no shortage of suitors who could offer the veteran a huge payday as he enters the final years of his career.
Given his age, the 34-year-old is unlikely to receive a long-term offer from an elite club, but he could sign a shorter contract with a rival Champions League club as Bayern Munich consider taking a different approach after previously being sold by Walker rejected.
Guardiola confirmed Walker's desire to leave the reigning English champions after City's victory over Salford, saying: 'Two days ago, Kyle asked to explore the options of playing abroad at the end of his career.
'He asked about the Treble two years ago. Bayern Munich wanted him, but the offer was not good enough. I asked him, the club asked him: how important is this?
“We cannot understand the club's success these years without Kyle. It's impossible. He gave us something we didn't have and he was great.
'But now in his mind he would like to explore and go to another country. For that reason I prefer to play against other players who are here with their thoughts, that's all.'
Furthermore, the 34-year-old has taken matters into his own hands to try to seal his departure this month.
“He went to the club,” Guardiola added.
“I'm quite convinced that there's no one in our position who doesn't want to be where they can perform.
'He asks for investigation [his options] so it might not happen, we don't know, you never know. Examine the situation and I respect a lot. I am beyond grateful for what he has done for us over the years.
“He came to us eight years ago and we are starting to win, win, win, win and he has been important for the national team and of course for our team.
“But he has said he wants to explore it in his mind and in his heart and explore it. Honestly? I don't know what's going to happen.'
'Did I want to leave City? No, of course not. We are the best team in the world right now. But it was a chance to get away from England and the media I would get.
'I knew the clock was ticking. I came very close to moving. We had conversations. I went to a great club, a huge club. But in the end I couldn't go.'
Guardiola's public statement that Walker is now pushing for an escape route increases the pressure to see if a deal can be reached for a player who will turn 35 before the season is out.
Mail Online reported on Friday that Walker's wife Annie Kilner is reportedly considering taking back their pending £27million divorce and the star has moved back into the marital home.
The WAG, 33, served Walker, 34, with divorce papers in October and kicked him out of the property after discovering he had secretly fathered a second child with his ex Lauryn Goodman, 33.
Sources say Annie, who was pregnant with their fourth child when Lauryn dropped the bombshell, is now having second thoughts about their split and is “quietly working on her relationship with Kyle behind the scenes.”
The insider told MailOnline: 'The couple are doing everything they can to keep their family as united as possible and protect their four boys from any consequences.
'They enjoyed Christmas together, as a family, and are continuing to work on their own relationship, but no decisions have been made yet.
'They want time and peace, away from the spotlight and rumors, to continue working on things behind the scenes.
They added, “There is so much speculation and scrutiny as to whether Kyle and Annie will make it through this phase of their marriage, but as it stands not much has changed since the situation blew up a year ago.”
The insider also insisted that claims that Annie would stay with Walker for purely financial reasons are untrue, amid links with a lucrative move to Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr.
The couple made a very public statement as they rang in the new year together.
The pair wore matching pajamas in the Instagram update with their sons Roman, 12, Riaan, eight, Reign, six, and five-month-old Rezon.
Sharing the new snap on his Story on Sunday, Walker wrote: 'Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.'
A fellow WAG footballer, who is close to the family, told MailOnline last month: 'Kyle and Annie put aside their marital problems to celebrate Christmas with their children.
'They are the couples' priority and they want to bring Christmas joy into their home for their young family.
'It's important that both parents are present. While Annie bears the brunt of caring for the family, Kyle is busy with his four boys and they adore him.
“Conversations between the two about what their future looks like continue, but for now it's all about their children and what's best for them.
'Annie is a strong woman who just wants to see her boys happy. She'll do anything for them, but she hasn't forgotten what Kyle did. This is about the kids, and only the kids.”
Meanwhile, it was revealed by Lauryn that the football ace had not received any Christmas presents for their children, Kairo and Kinara.
The reality star also attacked Annie by reposting a fan post that called Walker's estranged wife his “ball and chain.”
During an Instagram Q&A, she was asked, “Did 'that' even try to buy the kids for Christmas or even a card or does the ball and chain not allow that?”
Lauryn replied, “You said it…”
Walker hopes Lauryn won't 'goad' him on social media in the new year as he claims the reality star is using his name to stay in the spotlight.
The footballer has apparently hit back amid a backlash after it emerged he had not sent Christmas presents for their two children this year.
Although the footballer has not given Kairo and Kinara any presents, Walker wants to support them financially.
An insider told MailOnline: 'Kyle has never been involved in the children's parties and hasn't brought any gifts, apart from a coat for Kairo a few years ago.
“The latest story seems like Lauryn is using his name to stay in the spotlight.”
They added: “He is not part of Lauryn's children's daily lives, but supports them financially – paying for their home, school and more.
“Kyle and Annie want to put this all behind them in 2025 and move on without the drama. They hope Lauryn will do the same instead of goading them on social media.”
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