Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says he will not stand in Kyle Walker’s way if the England defender decides to quit the club during this month’s transfer window.
Walker was left out of the City squad for their 8-0 FA Cup third-round victory over League Two Salford even though Guardiola had only two recognised defenders in his starting line-up.
The 34-year-old England international still has 18 months left on his contract.
However, Guardiola said the City skipper went to see director of football Txiki Begiristain on Thursday to explain his desire to look at an exit.
“Two days ago Kyle asked to explore the options to play abroad,” said Guardiola.
“We cannot understand [what] the club did these years without Kyle. It’s impossible. He’s been our right-back, giving us something we didn’t have. But now in his mind, for many reasons, he would like to explore if he can go to another country to play his last years.”
Asked if Walker would be granted his wish if he said he wanted to leave, Guardiola said: “Of course.
“It doesn’t mean it’s going to happen because you never know the situation. But I am pretty convinced there’s no-one in our job that doesn’t want to be there who can perform and be exactly what they want to be.”
Guardiola added Walker had initially asked to leave City in the wake of their historic Treble success in 2023. Guardiola said German giants Bayern Munich had told Walker they wanted to sign him but had failed to match the fee City demanded.
It is unlikely there will be a similar problem this time around as Guardiola is already committed to refreshing a squad that has struggled badly during the first half of the season.
City have already agreed a £33.6m deal with French club Lens for Uzbekistan international defender Abdukodir Khusanov. They are also in negotiations with Brazilian side Palmeiras for teenage defender Vitor Reis and are keen on Eintracht Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush.
