Kyle Walker reckons Manchester City exit with possible league switch identified – Advice sought from ex-teammate

Manchester City captain and England international Kyle Walker is reportedly considering a move away from the Etihad Stadium in the upcoming summer window.

The 33-year-old defender came very close to an exit from Manchester City during the previous summer transfer window after holding talks and negotiations with Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich for a long time.

Ultimately, following the departures of Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez in particular, Manchester City and Pep Guardiola felt it was of the utmost importance to convince Walker to stay at the club, giving him experience at the highest level of the game.

In turn, Walker received a contract extension from Manchester City and following a private conversation with manager Pep Guardiola over a city center dinner one night, the England international stuck around and also became the next club captain.

However, some believe that Kyle Walker’s performances this season have been far from the standard required to stay at the club for much longer, and events off the pitch could also intrigue the player in relation to a departure from the English game.

That’s according to a new exclusive report from The Sun, which claims Walker is now considering a move from the Premier League to Saudi Arabia after “seeking advice” from former Manchester City team-mate Riyad Mahrez on moving to the Middle East.

The paper quotes a source on the Manchester City captain’s future who claims Walker is “very happy” at the Etihad Stadium but is “exploring all options further” amid media coverage of his private life.

“Kyle (Walker) has thought about his future after the Premier League and believes a move to Saudi Arabia could be perfect for him, Annie (Kilner) and their children when he finishes here,” a source was quoted as saying by The Sun.

The anonymous source continued: “He spoke to Riyad (Mahrez) about the football clubs there and what life is like for people who move there. Obviously, the lifestyle is very different.

“Kyle loves playing for Man City and is devoted to the club, but he has his head screwed on and has thought about what the future holds for him when his time in the Premier League and for England comes to an end.”

Walker’s talks with Riyad Mahrez are said to have “opened his eyes” to the prospect of playing for a club in Saudi Arabia in the near future, as well as what his personal life could look like in an adventurous move away from the European game.

“His conversations with Riyad opened his eyes to what it’s really like to play for the clubs there and what the reality would be if he moved there,” the source told The Sun newspaper.

“It’s something that Kyle and Annie have discussed as well, and she would be open to moving there at some point in the future with their children. And, of course, there would be a lot less public scrutiny on him, which he would like, especially after the last few months of turmoil that played out so publicly.”

It is currently unknown what Manchester City would do in the transfer market should they sanction a big-money move for Kyle Walker to the Saudi Arabian game, with the lack of natural full-back options at the club.

Rico Lewis remains Manchester City’s only right-back in Pep Guardiola’s first team, with the England international used more often in midfield, while the Catalan manager has often called on out-of-position centre-backs when needed.

The likes of Manuel Akanji and John Stones have excelled in the right-back role and their defensive midfield instruction when in possession, however the club has a name to assess in the coming months.

Brazil international Yan Couto is a player Pep Guardiola must assess in pre-season, with the youngster excelling on another loan spell at Girona this season, leading the City Football Group side into next season’s UEFA Champions League.