Kyle Walker is closing in on his Man City departure.
That’s according to journalist Florian Plettenberg, who has reported that Bayern Munich are set to hold negotiations with Man City in Tokyo next week as they look to wrap up a deal.
Walker has been heavily linked with a move away from Manchester in recent weeks and the report claims he has already informed Pep Guardiola of his desire to join the Bundesliga champions.
The 33-year-old has been a key player for Man City since completing his £50 million move from Tottenham Hotspur six years ago.
However, Pep’s change of system as they lifted the Treble last season forced Walker down the pecking order as he made only 22 starts in the top flight.
Walker has jetted off to Japan this week ahead of Man City’s pre-season tour in Asia, however is likely to be left out of their clash with Bayern on Wednesday – though he could even be playing for the opposition by then.
The report claims the deal is ‘on the verge of being finalised’ as Thomas Tuchel’s side look to snap the defender up by next week. However, rumours of Benjamin Pavard heading in the opposite direction have been played down.
The Frenchman has fallen out of favour in Germany and could be on his way out this summer, however they won’t be using him as a bargaining chip for Walker’s arrival.
Kyle Walker ‘doesn’t fit’ into Man City’s system
Kyle Walker has spent most of his time at the Etihad Stadium as a regular in the starting line-up and was even named in the UEFA Champions League Team of the Season for their historic victory over Inter Milan.
However, Pep has now adopted a new system at that sees Walker forced to play as an inverted full back.
After leaving the England international on the bench for two matches in a row back in April, Guardiola said: “He cannot do it.
“He will always have pace; Kyle at 60 years old will be the fastest player in this room. To play inside you have to have educated movements — he doesn’t have every one of the characteristics.
“He has played as a full back coming inside in the past with four at the back. He has done really well but this shape of three at the back and two in the middle, he cannot do it.”
Man City could now look to replace Walker and bring in a new player that specialises in the traits that the veteran defender failed to accomplish.
