New Delhi: The legendary full-back of Manchester City Kyle Walker has agreed to a rumored 12-month loan contract with the Serie A powerhouses, and AC Milan is now preparing to finalize the transaction. The agreement will keep Walker with the Premier League powerhouses until the last six months of his current contract, after which he will be free to evaluate offers from other teams. Fabrizio Romano claims that the Italian team will pay Walker’s wages at Man City throughout the loan period and have the right to purchase the player at any time.
The 34-year-old full-back chose to sign a contract extension with Man City in 2023 after being strongly linked to a move to Bayern Munich. Walker’s effectiveness was hampered by a hamstring injury toward the end of the last league season, suggesting that age has finally caught up with the England international. Walker has only started 41% of Man City’s league games so far this season and has mostly been considered surplus to need. Therefore, it is not surprising if someone leaves during the January transfer window. Walker appears to have decided on a transfer to AC Milan despite being strongly linked to a move to cross-city rivals Inter.
A true legend for the Sky Blues
🚨🔴⚫️ AC Milan have agreed deal to sign Kyle Walker from Man City, here we go!
Loan move with buy option clause not mandatory, salary covered by AC Milan with contract agreed.
Travel and medical being planned.
Manchester City’s captain ready for new chapter. pic.twitter.com/zmhZEj0Clv
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 22, 2025
Walker’s exit from Man City is somewhat indicative of his departure from Pep Guardiola’s team. Walker has consistently been a part of Guardiola’s back line since joining Man City from Tottenham in 2017 in a transaction for just under €53 million. The defender has won six Premier League championships, four English League Cups, two FA Cups, and the crucial Champions League in 2023 throughout that period.
The Englishman’s incredible speed was also viewed as the mainstay of Guardiola’s strategies for playing a high defensive line and forcing his team’s will on opponents throughout the years. He was also a commanding presence in that right back role, where he has kept quite a few speedsters such as Vinicius Junior, Sadio Mane, Marcus Rashford and many more.
Walker ranks as Man City’s 23rd most utilized player in the team’s history with 319 appearances in all competitions. In addition to his tenure at Tottenham, Walker has made 410 Premier League appearances, the 41st-best return for any player in the history of the league. Only two current players have surpassed this record: Ashley Young (471), and James Milner (637). With him finally leaving on loan, this is an indication that an era of Kyle Walker at Manchester City is coming to an end.
AC Milan have reached an agreement to sign Manchester City’s long-serving full-back Kyle Walker on loan. The 34-year-old will be leaving Manchester after almost eight seasons at the club. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
