Pep Guardiola declares that the Manchester City legend asked to leave the club in the January transfer window
Pep Guardiola sensationally told talkSPORT that Kyle Walker asked to leave Manchester City.
The Citizens legend was absent from his team's game 8-0 victory in the FA Cup on Salford City and the club initially explained that he was not injured and called it a “technical problem”.
However, Guardiola set the record straight after the match, telling talkSPORT: “Two days ago he told the club that he wants to explore the possibility of going abroad. “He wants to finish his career somewhere else.
“He asked me two years ago and I tried to convince him to commit to staying and he signed a contract and it was really important and he won the Premier League last season as captain.
“Now he says he would like to go to another country in this transfer window.
“He is a player who, when he is fit and focused with the attitude as a player, can play one, two, three more years. I have never seen a physical condition like the one he has in my life.
“All the success we have had in these eight years largely belongs to him and the boys played almost 100 games for the England team.
“I don't need to tell you how important it has been, but now he has told the club that he wants another experience – explore was the word – and we will see what happens.”
Asked if Walker would leave with his blessing, Guardiola continued: “When players want to leave I'm not the one…
“I try to convince them but at certain times when they want to do it I'm not that guy.
“The other question… the club in the end has the final say on what exactly is going to happen.”
talkSPORT understands the England international is a target for Saudi Pro League clubs.
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Walker admitted that he was close to leaving town in 2023 to join Three Lions teammate Harry Kane at Bayern Munich.
Guardiola confirmed that it was his former club, Bayern, who were close to signing Walker, but revealed that their offer was not enough.
The full-back joined City from Tottenham in 2017 for £45million and has since proven he is worth every penny.
With the club he won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups and the Holy Grail of the Champions League in 2023.
