Manchester City defender Kyle Walker is eager to talk to Bayern Munich about a potential transfer, according to sources close to the England international. The 33-year-old would become the second high profile member of City’s Treble-winning team to depart this summer if the transfer goes ahead, after Ilkay Gundogan’s move to Barcelona.
Walker has been at the Etihad Stadium since joining City in 2017 from Tottenham Hotspur and has established himself as one of the best defenders in the country, winning five Premier League titles, four EFL Cups, two FA Cups and most recently the Champions League. He’s also represented England at four major tournaments since making his debut in 2011.
Munich Target
However, Bayern Munich have targeted him as part of their rebuild under Thomas Tuchel this summer and have been in touch with City over recent weeks without agreeing a fee so far. The German champions are reported to be offering Walker a two-year deal with the option of a third and sources suggest that he would be open to talking to them about it.
There are even reports in Germany that Walker has already spoken to them and agreed personal terms, though it would still require them to come to an agreement over a fee with City. Walker has one year left on his current contract at the Etihad and City are believed to be interested in extending that for a further year.
Juventus are also reported to be interested in Walker, but have not yet made a move to try and sign him. He was left out of the starting line-up for the Champions League Final in June and missed six games before the World Cup through groin injury, but remained an important member of Pep Guardiola’s defence as City went on to win a historic Treble.
Stirring Up Trouble
However, even before moving to the Bundesliga giants, he has reportedly stirred up trouble in their dressing room. Not because of his abilities or character but because the reports suggest that Bayern are willing to break a long-standing tradition to sign him.
Historically, the club has maintained a rule of never offering more than a one-year contract to players over 30 and even club legends have had to abide by this, at the expense of losing Robert Lewandowski to Barcelona.
Current stars like Thomas Muller and Manuel Neuer have also not been exceptions to it – though Sadio Mane was when he arrived at the age of 30 and was given a 3-year deal – and are believed to be annoyed that Walker seems to be getting preferential treatment.
He might not be the only English arrival in Munich this summer, of course, with the German side still keen to try and sign Harry Kane from Tottenham Hotspur. If they succeeded that would reunite him with Walker, as they’d played together at White Hart Lane before his departure for City.
Currently, though, Walker is with the rest of the City squad, preparing for their game this weekend against Yokohama F Marinos. Their next game after that is on Wednesday against Bayern Munich, though it remains to be seen which side Walker might be playing for at the Japan National Stadium.
