EXCLUSIVE: Manchester City’s captain fantastic Kyle Walker up for sale in January despite fighting for his future on and off the pitch

EXCLUSIVE: Manchester City’s captain fantastic Kyle Walker up for sale in January despite fighting for his future on and off the pitch

Manchester City are willing to sell their captain Kyle Walker with a budget price set for the England star who is fighting for his future on and off the pitch

 

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 24: Kyle Walker of Manchester City during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Manchester City and Watford at Etihad Stadium on September 24, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)

Manchester City are willing to sell Kyle Walker next summer for around £15million.

 

The England defender, 34, is a target for Saudi outfit Al-Ahli and that move could suit both him and the English champions. Out of contract in June 2026, Walker is not expected to be offered an extension by City. There are no new talks on his future scheduled.

 

And that appears to be the clearest sign yet that this may be the beginning of the end of his glittering, trophy-filled time at the Etihad. Since his £50million move from Tottenham in July 2017, Walker has won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups – as well as the Champions League in 2023.

 

He was also named City’s club captain – ahead of Belgium playmaker Kevin de Bruyne – at the start of last season following the departure of previous skipper Ilkay Gundogan to Barcelona. But having been a permanent fixture in England’s run into the Euro finals in Germany over the summer, Walker, who has 91 caps, has suffered an inconsistent opening to 2024-25.

 

The right-back was at fault for both Arsenal goals in the recent 2-2 league draw at the Etihad – and also failed to make either of the Three Lions squads named by interim boss Lee Carsley. While he has always been linked with an emotional return to boyhood club Sheffield United, that now seems less likely given the interest from Saudi.

 

Walker, who almost joined German giants Bayern Munich 15 months ago, would net a hugely lucrative deal at Al-Ahli worth around £400,000 per week. That is almost twice the amount he currently pockets at City and such a huge pay day would be hard to resist at this stage of his career.

 

It comes after the player has faced a turbulent time off the pitch, with his wife Annie Kilner, 31, filing for divorce and preparing to fight for half of his £27million fortune, after he fathered a second child with reality TV star Lauryn Goodman.

 

‘Will open negotiations’… Journalist claims £83m player is ‘dreaming’ of returning to Man City

Manchester City’s sporting director, Txiki Begiristain, is reportedly stepping down at the end of the season, with Hugo Viana expected to replace him. Journalist Christian Falk suggested that Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens, an England U21 winger, would be interested in joining a Premier League club, with City being a potential destination. Dortmund are said to be open to negotiations for Gittens if a club is willing to pay €100m (£83m) for him.

 

Gittens, who previously played in City’s academy before moving to Dortmund, has been performing well for the German club with 68 first-team appearances and impressive goal contributions. Despite City’s already strong squad of wingers, it remains to be seen if Viana will pursue Gittens as one of his first signings as the new sporting director. Gittens is seen as a top talent with a desire to prove himself in the Premier League, possibly leading to a return to his former club.