Pep Guardiola announces shock Kyle Walker transfer request in dramatic 200-word revelation | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has announced that Kyle Walker has asked to leave the Etihad Stadium this month.

The veteran England international was at the centre of widespread transfer speculation last summer, with Bayern Munich and the Saudi Pro League having both made attempts to sign the 34-year-old in the past two years.

Walker rejected a move to the Bundesliga in 2023 in favour of signing a new Manchester City contract until 2026, with the full-back also becoming club captain at the Etihad Stadium, following the departure of Ilkay Gundogan after the treble success.

The defender has started just 11 matches for Manchester City this season, and was dramatically omitted from the the Blues’ matchday squad for Saturday evening’s 8-0 thrashing of Salford City in the Emirates FA Cup third round.

Walker has been the subject of notable criticism from supporters in recent weeks, and his last start for Guardiola’s side came in mid-December, when Manchester City collapsed to a late 1-2 loss at home to local rivals Manchester United in the Premier League.

The defender has been at the Etihad since a move from Tottenham in 2017, making over 300 appearances and winning 17 trophies, including the UEFA Champions League and six Premier League titles.

Guardiola has revealed that the club captain has requested to leave east Manchester in the January transfer window however, with the right-back wanting to look at options to continue his career abroad.

Revealing the surprise news, Guardiola said: “Two days ago Kyle [Walker] 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? 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.

“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 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 a lot.

“I am more than grateful what he has done for many years for us. He arrived eight years ago with us and we start 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.”

Manchester City have been linked with signing two defenders during the transfer window, and are expected to complete the signing of Lens star Abdukodir Khusanov next week.

The Blues are also pushing to sign Vitor Reis from Palmeiras, however the Brazilian club want to retain the teenager for the FIFA Club World Cup.