Soccer Football - Serie A - AC Milan v Inter Milan - San Siro, Milan, Italy - February 2, 2025 AC Milan's Kyle Walker after the match REUTERS/Daniele Mascolo
Turkish side Fenerbahce have made a “serious approach” to sign Manchester City veteran Kyle Walker who returns to City this summer following his loan from AC Milan. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported that Walker’s departure from City was decided months ago, with the 35 year old now left out of the club’s squad to play in this month’s Club World Cup.
Walker has just one year remaining on his contract at City and is deemed surplus to requirements. Loan club Milan also declined the chance to sign him permanently, leaving the player the task of finding a new club this summer.
Walker has enjoyed a decorated eight year career at City; winning six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups, the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup. The ageing veteran has seen his place in the pecking order fall under Pep Guardiola this season though, making 15 Premier League appearances before being sent to Milan in January.
After going unbeaten in his first three starts with Milan, he endured a frustrating remainder of the campaign as the club finished 8th place in Serie A and missed out on European football.
Walker has come under much scrutiny this season for his performances for club and country. He was in the England team that lost 3-1 to Senegal last week, marking his 96th appearance for England.
At 35, he appears to have lost a step or two and a series of high profile errors have been highlighted by fans and pundits alike.
Walker wanted by Fenerbahce
Details of Fenerbahce’s approach have been scarce, but a formal bid has been confirmed by multiple sources. Walker would be joining Jose Mourinho at the Turkish club while facing off against former Man City teammate Leroy Sane who has joined rival club Galatasaray.
News of the bid comes at an awkward time for Walker, who drew the ire of City fans this week after admitting that he would trade one of his Premier League titles to be able to say he won a trophy with former club Tottenham.
Walker spent eight years with Tottenham before moving to City in 2017, and holds fond memories of his former club. Speaking on the Kyle Walker podcast, he praised Spurs’ Europa League victory.
“I’d probably give up one Premier League to win that [the Europa League] with Tottenham,” Walker said. “I would, if I could change it, just to say that I was in that Spurs squad that won a trophy, [the first] since 2007.”
“I know what it means. I’d give my second, its hard to give one away, but for what that moment meant. To say that I was in that Spurs squad that won a trophy”.
These comments have been met with outrage by some City supporters who are now calling for his exit. Links with a return to Tottenham have also surfaced but no news of interest from the club has been reported as of yet.
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