Pep Guardiola's honesty about Kyle Walker's future at Manchester City could cost his club in the January transfer window.
Walker is keen to leave City this month after winning six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, a Champions League and four EFL Cups since joining the club from Tottenham in 2017. The 34-year-old would like to explore options at another location. major European club and is strongly linked to AC Milan.
The experienced defender reportedly does not want to move to Saudi Arabia, but his chances of securing the transfer he wants in the coming weeks may have been undermined by his manager. Guardiola spoke highly of Walker, but his openness about the situation could be counterproductive.
The Daily Mail reports that by leaving Walker out of his squad and suggesting he has no future at City, Guardiola has weakened the club's negotiating position. “It's not easy for me to say, but Kyle is not here because two days ago he asked to explore the possibility of playing abroad,” Guardiola said after last weekend's FA Cup win over Salford.
“Kyle went there [director of football] Txiki Begiristain. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm pretty convinced that you shouldn't keep anyone who doesn't want to be here. Kyle asked to explore. It doesn't mean it's going to happen, you just never know.”
Guardiola has since tried to backtrack on his original comments by not ruling out Walker's return to the squad. But it seems the damage has already been done when it comes to collecting the highest transfer fee for his services.
“The situation is different now, but the transfer window ends when it is over and I don't know what will happen,” Guardiola said this week. “I said to Kyle, now it's a question of the market. He is an incredible player, with incredible physicality and when he is focused he is unstoppable as a right back.
“He is a top class player. If he is fit, he can play as a professional for one, two, three or four more years. I have never seen a player with these physical conditions in my career.
“If he wants to explore a move, the club will explore it and he has to decide, not me. It's not my decision. But he has to have an agreement with the club.”
Walker believes he can play at top level for two more years and is therefore not ready to move to Saudi Arabia with a view to making seven more appearances to reach the 100-cap mark for England. Sky Sports Italia reports that Milan want to sign Walker on loan until the end of the season before it becomes permanent.
Comments