While Manchester City has made efforts to keep the seasoned full-back on staff after the current transfer window, the 32-year-old has been considering his options for a number of months.
There is a perception in certain circles that City was willing to give Kyle Walker a new contract to keep him out of Bayern Munich’s grasp, but recent events would seem to imply that such efforts have not been successful.
Kyle Walker, who spent six incredibly successful years at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola, is reportedly ready to leave the club, according to numerous breaking news sources on Friday.
According to Florian Plettenberg, who broke the news first, Kyle Walker and Bayern Munich have achieved a verbal 100% agreement, and Walker is prepared to sign with the Bundesliga champions after saying “Yes” to the team today.
The player has a contract through 2025 with an option to extend it by an additional 12 months, and Bayern Munich’s next move is to negotiate a transfer fee with Manchester City.
Kyle Walker’s desire to join the club this summer is reportedly known to Bayern Munich officials, who are expected to begin talks with City over a transfer fee of approximately €15 million plus add-ons soon.
Kyle Walker is now anticipated to inform Pep Guardiola of his desire to quit Manchester City “in the coming hours,” according to additional reports from Nathan Gissing for DiMarzio. Walker has already agreed to a move to Bayern.
It is still unknown what sort of transfer fee Manchester City anticipates receiving from the sale of Walker, although it is widely believed that the Premier League champions are aiming for a sum in excess of £20 million.
For a player entering the final year of their current contract as well as a defender who is clearly in the final stages of their top-level career, officials at the Etihad Stadium believe that fee would be fair value.
Joao Cancelo, who transferred from Manchester City to Bayern Munich in January on a six-month loan with a €70 million buyout option, will be the player Kyle Walker will be following. The Bundesliga’s juggernauts, though, have not used that choice.
Since Bayern Munich is one of the scheduled friendly opponents, Cancelo is anticipated to be a member of the Manchester City team when it returns for preseason training at the City Football Academy on Monday before their tour to the Far East.