More sources are confirming the news that Kyle Walker wants to leave Manchester City and that AC Milan are leading the chase.
It emerged last night that Walker is no longer happy with the Premier League champions and wishes to leave. The Telegraph then stated that Milan are the team lining up a move, and that they are ‘confident’ that they can land him.
According to what is being reported by Matteo Moretto of Relevo, Milan are ‘planning new contacts’ in the coming days to move forward on the Walker issue. The Rossoneri directors are ‘confident that the English defender will be allowed to leave for free’.
Not only that, but he adds that there is a ‘significant contract’ ready for the 34-year-old, who has decided that he wishes to have a change in scenery late in his career. This is something that Pep Guardiola announced yesterday.
“Two days ago, Kyle asked to explore the options to play abroad at the end of his career,” he said after City’s 8-0 rout of League Two side Salford City in the FA Cup (via Sky).
“In his [Walker’s] mind, he would like to explore it, to go to another country, to play the last years [somewhere else] for many reasons. For that reason, I prefer playing other players whose mind is here.”
Squad rules
What does it mean if Milan want to sign Walker and Marcus Rashford? Well, both players are English nationals and during the summer of 2023 the FIGC equated the situation of players with British, Albanian and Swiss passports to that of EU citizens.
After Brexit, players of English nationality were considered non-EU but that changed. However, in May 2024 there was a further amendment to the rule, which states Serie A teams will be able to register only one British player and one Albanian player beyond the permitted slots.
Thus, there will have to be a choice between Rashford and Walker, given that this year Milan have already occupied the two ‘normal’ non-EU slots with Strahinja Pavlovic and Emerson Royal.
Replace Emerson Di Royale with Sky Walker. And sign Trincao, ig he won’t fill Non-EU spot.
Walker yes, Rashford no thanks. If we want to add 2 more quality additions to our roster. I suggest Roma captain Pellegrini and Leroy Sane. Sane is much better and prolific than Rashford while Pellegrini is a quality Italian addition. Walker is also quality player, Manc captain and at 34 still a starter by no means a washed up player. He will bring quality & experience.
Shame we’re stuck with Emerson now. No club will went him nor pay his salary ie similar situation to Origi. Yet another Moncada blunder!
Yeah Oroghi arrived for free but has hefty wage, meanwhile Emersob, arrived for 15M (FR?) but has lower wage than Oroghi same with Bolo Tore. We already told this in summer mercato but those Money Balls do the signing…
Walker has fallen off a cliff this past season. We should stay well clear. Find someone for the future.
My son is a City fan (it’s ok, he’s Mancunian 😁) and is of the belief that they are miles better when Walker plays.
He’s not your typical 34 year old – he has a few top, top level seasons left in him.
Good move I say, as long as the wages are sensible.
Will he like another Abate, bc we know he’s one the fastest as RB.
What are fast players against 70% of the teams we play in Serie A? Those teams park the bus and close the spaces. Fast players become pointless. This is why we can’t beat the Cagliaris and Genoas. We need players that can unlock the low block. Positioning (off the ball movement), passing and crossing are more important than speed.
Also dribbling technique and acceleration also important to get into opponent defensive line.
Agreed. Apparently as token of goodwill Manc may let him leave for free which helps. Walker is smart signing but it could also be because they are about to sell Tomori. Newcastle is after him and they wanted a replacement. Honestly if we sell him for 30-35m and get walker for free albight higher wages that’s a very smart transfer.
Sane is free agent in 6 months. We should go for him too. Lock him up as his upgrade on RW for Chukaweze & can play up front ie false 9 or on a 442.
The gift of buying Emerson just keeps on giving.
The same mistake we made with Origi. Instead of strengthening the squad with experience where it is needed they will only slow down the grow of Gabbia and Jimenez, because someone prefers to wait for recycling than making normal transfers