Kyle Walker reunites with Manchester City stars for special dinner at exclusive restaurant | OneFootball

Manchester City stars both past and present have linked-up in the city centre this week for a special dinner marking the emotional exit of one integral first-team star.

Kyle Walker’s departure from City was one of the more expected moves of the summer transfer window, ending his glittering Etihad Stadium career that saw him lift multiple Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy by joining Burnley.

Now preparing for life under Vincent Kompany’s successor at Turf Moor in Scott Parker, Walker is still clearly close with his old teammates – something highlighted by his return to Manchester this week.

The occasion was tied to another recent exit after Switzerland international Manuel Akanji sealed a season-long loan to Inter in the closing stages of the market – a move which includes a €15 million buy option dependent on certain conditions.

His departure followed weeks of speculation linking him to the likes of AC Milan, Tottenham, and Galatasaray, but it was the Italian giants who eventually struck the agreement, with Akanji later admitting Pep Guardiola had been upfront about competition at centre-back.

Now, as revealed by new photographs in The Sun newspaper, Kyle Walker went for dinner with his former Manchester City teammates just days before facing them with Burnley in Premier League action at the Etihad Stadium.

The England international reunited with his former colleagues for Manuel Akanji’s leaving drinks following the Swiss defender’s loan move with option to buy.

Photos of squad members revealed that among the guests – dining at Greek restaurant Fenix in Manchester – were Bernardo Silva, Nathan Ake, Ruben Dias, Mateo Kovacic, Savinho, and Phil Foden, as well as Rodri, Tijjani Reijnders, Rico Lewis, Stefan Ortega and Omar Marmoush.

The sight of Walker rejoining his former teammates for one night underlines the strong bonds built during his time at Manchester City, ahead of a possible reunion on the pitch this weekend as Burnley take on the Etihad Stadium challenge in the Premier League.

For Akanji, the farewell dinner also demonstrates the respect he still holds within the dressing room. Should his loan spell at Inter prove successful, and the conditions for a permanent deal be met, this gathering may have been one of his last major outings as a City player.

However, if Inter do not trigger their option, a return to Manchester next summer remains a possibility albeit with the expectancy that City officials would look to sanction a permanent exit to another side.

As City move forward, Manuel Akanji’s departure and Kyle Walker’s exit further highlight the evolving shape of Pep Guardiola’s squad following reinforcements that have added depth in midfield, balancing experience and youth, all of which will be key in determining whether the club can maintain their domestic and European dominance.