Manchester City ready to sell star player amid interest from Saudi Pro League - Reports
Manchester City are reportedly open to selling club captain Kyle Walker next summer. The English defender has garnered interest from Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli.
Walker has had a tough 2024-25 season, making seven appearances across competitions. He has been far from his best in both defense and attack. He was also arguably at fault for both of Arsenal's goals in City's 2-2 draw against the Gunners at the Etihad. Pep Guardiola has often preferred Rico Lewis in the right-back position over Walker this season.
Hence, as per the Daily Star, Manchester City are open to letting the Englishman leave next summer. His contract expires in the summer of 2026 and the club will not extend the 34-year-old's contract. They are open to selling him for around £15 million next summer.
Al-Ahli have shown an interest in signing Walker. The Saudi Pro League side will reportedly offer him a deal worth £400,000 per week to join them. He was also linked with a return to his boyhood club Sheffield United but that appears unlikely.
Walker came through Sheffield's academy and then joined Tottenham Hotspur in 2009. He spent eight years at the club before joining Manchester City for a reported fee of £50 million. He's registered 308 appearances for them and won six Premier League titles, among other honors.
Manchester City star Kyle Walker on Thomas Tuchel's appointment as England manager
England recently appointed Thomas Tuchel as their new manager and he will start his tenure from January 1, 2025. However, there has been criticism dished out towards the English FA for appointing a non-English manager. The German is only the third non-English manager of the Three Lions since Fabio Capello and the late Sven-Goran Eriksson.
Manchester City star Kyle Walker, though, has defended Tuchel, saying (via Goal):
"I can understand the English public thinking it should be an English manager taking control of the national team. But for me it’s about who is going to get the results, he has proven at big clubs that he can manage big players with big characters, the likes of PSG, he went to Chelsea and won the Champions League against Manchester City, that is one that sticks firmly in my mind.
"It is a great appointment and it is an even better appointment if he puts me in the team again! I think it is a great appointment but the proof is in the pudding, we need to do it as a set of players."
Tuchel will start his stint with the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers next year. Meanwhile, Walker has made 91 appearances for England, scoring one goal and providing 10 assists.