Manchester City captain Kyle Walker could leave the club in the January transfer window, it has been claimed.
England international Walker, 34, has been with City since joining from Tottenham in 2017. He is a six-time Premier League champion and was also part of the squad that defeated Inter Milan to win the Champions League final in 2023.
However, City and Walker have had a tougher time this season. The loss of Rodri to injury was accompanied by a slump in the Premier League and Champions League, with Walker in and out of Pep Guardiola's squad.
The versatile defender has long been linked with a return to Sheffield United, where he started his career. Walker's contract with City runs until the summer of 2026, but he could leave sooner.
According to The Mail, Walker is assessing his options. He is not the only City player reportedly in that situation. Matheus Nunes and James McAtee are also said to be wondering whether to look elsewhere.
Walker conceded a 20-minute run-out in City's last game against Leicester, leaving Guardiola's team with just a clean sheet in the second competition since late October. The win moved them back above Bournemouth into fifth place, although they still have work to do to get back into the top four.
There is interest from the continent, including AC Milan who previously explored a transfer for Walker. However, it is thought he had his sights set on a return to Bramall Lane.
“I'm going to keep going until my legs don't want to go anymore,” Walker told the BBC in 2021. “Until they go, I'll keep running. I've made it very clear that I want to go back and play for Sheffield United.”
“I started there, played there from the age of six or seven. If I decline and become a burden, of course not. But as long as I still enjoy it, I'll keep doing it.”
Sheffield United were relegated from the Premier League last season but are on track for an immediate return. Chris Wilder's Blades are second in the Championship after 24 games, two points behind leaders Leeds United.
They have also been the subject of a takeover in December, with COH Sports promising to restore the team to the top flight of English football. COH's Steven Rosen and Helmy Eltoukhy gave manager Wilder their backing after the £100m takeover was formalised.
“Like all Blades fans, we want to see the club compete consistently at the top of English football, and not just on a one-off basis. We are encouraged by the strong start to this season,” they said in a statement. statement “The team has performed strongly and we are committed to supporting the management team to continue this progress.”
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