Guardiola betrayed as senior Man City star tells boss he wants out, with next club’s first bid due
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola
Kyle Walker has told Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola that he wants to leave the club in order to join Bayern Munich this summer, a reporter has claimed.
Walker is now into the final year of his contract with Man City, where his future is unclear. The defender has become a top target for Bayern Munich, who could offer him his first taste of foreign football.
Reports have already suggested that Walker has agreed personal terms with Bayern. His contract in Germany would last until 2025, with the option of an extra year.
But the deal is not done, because Bayern would have to agree a transfer fee with Man City. The treble winners have been interested in extending Walker’s contract regardless.
According to Sky Sports Germany expert Florian Plettenberg, though, Walker has now told Guardiola he wants to make the move to Bayern.
It could help the process of Bayern being able to sign him. Indeed, the Bundesliga champions are ready to submit their first formal offer to Man City as a result.
For the time being, Walker is travelling with Man City for their pre-season preparations. Bayern have been aware of that plan all along, so do not think it is a sign of him sticking with his current club.
Sport1 reporter Kerry Hau has also confirmed Walker has held a conversation with Guardiola to outline his intentions of leaving Man City. Some teammates are also said to have been informed of his plan.
Man City want Walker talks as Juventus join Bayern in battle
However, Tobi Altschaffl from Sport Bild has revealed that Man City have told Bayern they want to speak to Walker again on Thursday, in what now appears to be a last-ditch attempt to convince him to stay.
But the ‘decision stands’, according to Altschaffl, which means Man City now need to plan for a future without Walker.
With that in mind, they are trying to buy themselves some time in order to identify a replacement at right-back. But it appears likely now that Walker’s heart is set on heading to Bayern.
At the age of 33, it could be time for a new challenge for the England international. He would be joining a traditionally successful club who will be in the Champions League as usual next season.
However, Bayern are not Walker’s only admirers. A twist from the UK version of Sky Sports News has revealed that Juventus are also interested in taking him to Serie A.
But the fact they have entered the race to sign him relatively late in the process, compared to Bayern, probably puts them at a disadvantage.
Furthermore, Bayern are offering Walker a potentially longer and more lucrative contract than the renewal that Man City would be presenting him, which seems to have further convinced him about the move to Germany.
