Manchester City could lose Kyle Walker this summer, but they will be in no rush to replace him.
As is the case with several members of Pep Guardiola’s squad, Kyle Walker’s future is uncertain.
The 33-year-old full-back has been a key player for City ever since he arrived from Tottenham in a £50m move in 2017.
Since then he has won five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups and the Champions League.
However, despite enjoying an incredible treble-winning season in 2022/23, Walker has told City that he would like to leave the club and join Bayern Munich.
Walker was unhappy with how his playing time reduced during the second half of last season, and was particularly disappointed not to be named in the starting XI for the Champions League final.
Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel is keen on signing the England star, and has reportedly convinced Walker to make the move to Bavaria.
City and Bayern held discussions last week while both were in Japan for pre-season tours. However, no agreement has been reached.
City keeping calm
City have been linked with bringing in Bayern’s Benjamin Pavard as a replacement, but according to journalist Dean Jones, City might not replace Walker until after the new season has begun.
“As soon as the Walker story came out they were linked with Benjamin Pavard off the back of that,” Jones said on the Ranks FC Ultras podcast.
“There’s an indicator that they will look, but I don’t think they’re in a rush to get that done before the season starts.
“Obviously, the season begins next week and you still have three weeks before the window closes so there’s time to sort that out.”
MCN view: City don’t need to rush
Given Guardiola’s plan to use a four-centre-back system and the imminent arrival of Josko Gvardiol, it’s not surprising that City are in no rush to secure a Walker replacement.
Should Guardiola require a natural right-back in the opening weeks of the season, then Rico Lewis would be the obvious option.
