Bayern Munich is reportedly engaged in advanced negotiations to secure the services of Manchester City defender Kyle Walker. According to sources in Germany, the 33-year-old has just one year remaining on his contract with the Premier League champions.
Thomas Tuchel, the head coach of Bayern Munich and former Chelsea manager, has played a pivotal role in convincing Walker to consider a move to the Bundesliga giants. Walker found himself on the bench during Manchester City’s recent Champions League final, with Guardiola opting for Manuel Akanji in the defensive lineup.
In April, Pep Guardiola commented on Walker’s inability to adapt to Manchester City’s tactical system, which involved deploying John Stones in a midfield role. The manager noted that while Walker possessed pace, he lacked the required technical attributes for playing in central positions.
Having joined Manchester City from Tottenham Hotspur in 2017 for a transfer fee of £50 million, Walker has enjoyed a highly successful stint at the Etihad Stadium. He has won five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups, and most recently, the Champions League.
Bernardo Silva Free to Leave Manchester City
Manchester City has confirmed that they will not impede Bernardo Silva’s departure if he expresses a desire to leave the club. However, any transfer must be initiated by the player and his representatives, who must present a suitable offer to the treble-winning team.
Silva has garnered interest from Paris Saint-Germain, while Barcelona has long been an admirer of the Portuguese international. Ideally, Manchester City would prefer Silva to stay and sign a new long-term contract, given his instrumental role in their recent triumphs, including the Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup victories.
It is worth noting that Silva had contemplated a move away from Manchester City last summer, but a transfer failed to materialize.
Barcelona’s Interest in Ilkay Gundogan
Barcelona is actively seeking to bolster their midfield this summer and has maintained a keen interest in Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan, who is set to become a free agent. While Gundogan is currently in discussions with City regarding a contract extension, the length of the proposed deal has become a point of contention.
City’s offer includes a one-year contract with an option for an additional 12 months, which has prompted interest from Barcelona and other clubs willing to provide a longer-term agreement. Arsenal is also reportedly interested in securing Gundogan’s services.
As negotiations continue, the future of these players will undoubtedly become clearer in the coming weeks, with potential transfers and contract extensions on the horizon.
