Pep Guardiola has revealed that Kyle Walker has asked to leave Manchester City, opening the door to a potential exit during the January transfer window.
Asked why Walker was not in the squad for Saturday’s clash, Guardiola took a moment before saying: “It’s not easy for me to say because he should say, but he’s not here, so two days ago Kyle asked to explore the options to play abroad at the end of his career.
“He asked two years ago after the treble, Bayern Munich I think wanted him but the offer was not good enough and I and the club (told) him how important he is. You cannot understand the success we have had these years without Kyle, it’s impossible, he gave us something we didn’t have, he’s been amazing.
“But now in his mind he would like to explore already to go to another country to play the last years for many reasons, and for that reason I played other players whose mind is here.”
Although Guardiola did not explain exactly why Walker has asked to leave before the end of the season, he did suggest that Walker no longer feels like he can play at his best level at City.
“Maybe I am wrong but still I am pretty convinced that there is not one person in our jobs, whatever job, that doesn’t want to be where they can’t perform or be what they want to be,” said Guardiola.
“He asked just to explore, it doesn’t mean it is going to happen because you never know. I respect him a lot because I am more than grateful for what he has done for us, he has been important with the England national team, important for our team but he said, ‘I want to explore in my mind and my heart’. Honestly I don’t know if it will happen.”
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Kyle Walker has asked to leave Manchester City, says Pep Guardiola
