Despite the Manchester City defender having yet to even sign the contract, some of Bayern Munich’s senior players have voiced their displeasure with Kyle Walker’s deal.
Walker, 33, supposedly has an agreement in place to go from Manchester to Munich for £15 million, but nothing has been confirmed as of yet.
Given that Walker was not included in Man City’s starting lineup for the Champions League final and that Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel has long admired Walker, the move has already caused some controversy within the team’s locker room.
Walker is getting preferential terms despite being past 30, which has upset players like Thomas Muller and Manuel Neuer, according to Bild.
Walker will sign a two-year contract with an additional one-year option. This violates a long-standing regulation that states that contracts for senior players can only be for a year.
The subject was a major point of contention for both Muller, 33, and Neuer, 37, during their individual contract discussions. Both players were committed to Bayern until 2024, but no longer. Walker’s contract with the club is expected to last through 2025, and maybe 2026.
Walker’s possible new colleagues are said to find it difficult to understand why the regulations are different for an entering player of a similar age compared to those who have been with the club for a long time.
Muller joined Bayern Munich as a young player and has been a member of the senior team since 2008. However, Muller was unable to extend his contract at the Allianz Arena by a further year.
Neuer, the custodian for the German national team, has been with Bayern Munich since 2011, although he is unable to obtain a long-term contract there.
Walker, who only has one year left on his contract with Manchester City, is said to have informed Pep Guardiola that he wants to quit the club.
If a trade agreement can be reached between the two European powerhouses, Man City may also have a stake in Benjamin Pavard of Bayern Munich.
He will need to make a strong first impression on his new colleagues in Germany because of the issues he caused at Bayern.
Walker has won five Premier League championships and the 2023 Champions League during his six years at the Etihad.