In a stunning turn of events, Manchester City’s right-back, Kyle Walker, has informed his manager, Pep Guardiola, that he intends to leave the club to join the illustrious ranks of Bayern Munich.
The news broke out through Sport1’s reliable source, Kerry Hau, indicating that Kyle Walker is determined to make the switch to Germany.
A verbal agreement has already been reached between Walker and Bayern Munich, with the 33-year-old set to sign a contract until 2025, inclusive of an option to extend for an additional year.
Bayern Munich, led by coach Thomas Tuchel, envision Walker as a leader within their dressing room, emphasizing his outstanding leadership qualities.
According to Florian Plettenberg, an agreement could be met over a transfer fee of approximately €15 million, with potential add-ons included.
Manchester City, however, isn’t ready to concede defeat just yet, aiming to buy time to find an adequate successor to fill Walker’s position.
Bayern Munich’s interest in Walker has sparked competition, with Juventus attempting a late swoop for the defender.
However, Walker’s firm commitment to joining Bayern and his personal dialogue with Pep Guardiola make it increasingly unlikely that other clubs will sway his decision.
The potential arrival of Walker to Bayern Munich could have a cascading effect on the team’s roster.
The right-back’s addition could signal the departure of Benjamin Pavard, another talented player in the Bayern ranks.
Pundit Didi Hamann praised Walker’s abilities and believed that his presence might lead to Pavard’s exit, a significant loss for the Bavarians.
City, in turn, could benefit from Pavard’s presence as he is comfortable both as a right-back and central defender. Given Guardiola’s tactical developments, Pavard’s versatility would provide the necessary flexibility to adapt to different systems.
However, City is not the only club interested in securing Pavard’s services. Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester United have all been linked to the Frenchman, indicating a hotly contested race for his signature.
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Florian Plettenberg has now revealed that Bayern and Manchester City will sit down for negotiations over the Kyle Walker’s transfer next week in Tokyo.
The English defender’s talk with Guardiola and Begiristain was positive and the move, as it seems, is on the verge of being finalised.
However, a swap deal with Benjamin Pavard is unlikely.
For Walker, the move to Bayern Munich represents a chance to continue playing at the top level for the next two years.
His fitness and performance in crucial matches, like the Champions League semi finals, have impressed observers, demonstrating his enduring quality on the pitch. Now, the onus falls on both clubs to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.