Liverpool have been linked with a shock move for Manchester City defender Kyle Walker, who is seen as the ideal complement to Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Walker has emerged as one of Europe’s top right-backs in recent years thanks to his electric pace, which enables him to handle practically any winger with relative ease. The 33-year-old has finished an unprecedented treble under Pep Guardiola, but despite that achievement, he is reportedly interested in moves to Saudi Arabia, his old team Sheffield United, and, most unexpectedly, Liverpool.
The Reds are reportedly interested in the right-back, according to the Daily Mail. His contract expires in the summer of 2019, so the team must either reach an agreement on a new one or let him go to recover some of the £50 million they spent on him back in 2017. According to sources, Bayern Munich has been talking about a transfer, but the team has also started negotiating a new contract, which is now the player’s favorite option.
Walker’s absence from his team’s victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League final led to rumors that he would be given permission to leave this window. Walker later addressed the rumors, saying he was “disappointed” not to have started. After all, last summer, we witnessed Guardiola approve the sales of Oleksandr Zinchenko, Raheem Sterling, and Gabriel Jesus.
Given that Liverpool would simultaneously weaken a rival and strengthen themselves, this would be a fantastic bargain for them. Alexander-Arnold has excelled in his new inverted position, but when he played for England against Malta last week, Gareth Southgate used the right-back in midfield with Declan Rice, taking it a step further.
Walker could play the job of a second midfielder, saving them the expense of doing so while allowing Alexander-Arnold to thrive there.