Manchester City captain Kyle Walker has asked to leave the club this summer in what could be another big transfer exit from the Premier League champions and the English top flight, MySportDab reports.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola confirmed the English right-back had told him that he wants to leave the club this summer.
“Two days ago, Kyle asked to explore options to play abroad and end his career at the club,” Pep Guardiola says before the Salford City FA Cup clash.
Kyle’s decision to leave Man City this summer isn’t coming as a surprise. Sources close to the club had earlier revealed the player is open to taking up a new challenge away from the Premier League champions due to lack of game time.
In the wake of City’s stuttering start to the season, Walker has seen his game time with the Cityzens diminished drastically.
He has managed just nine Premier League starts in 15 appearances, coming on as a substitute in six.
His diminished role in the club emanates from Pep Guardiola’s drastic changes in the squad amidst what has been a challenging campaign.
Young defenders like Rico Lewis and gradually taking on dominant roles in the squad and are now prioritized by Pep Guardiola over the veteran right-back.
In the 8-0 thrashing of Salford City, Pep confirmed Walker was dropped from the squad due to his decision to leave this summer.
The imminent exit of the former Tottenham defender will mark a pivotal shift in Manchester City’s squad.
Walker was among the first set of signings by Pep Guardiola after the latter took over as Man City manager in 2016.
He joined the club a year later and has made 319 appearances, scoring 6 goals with 23 assists. He recently signed a new two-year contract, committing to the club till 2026 but could call an end to his eight-year spell with the club at the wake of recent changes.
