Kyle Walker looks set to switch Manchester City for Bayern Munich after deciding to move to the German champions, says Florian Plettenberg, whilst Fabrizio Romano revealed Benjamin Pavard could move in the opposite direction.
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Walker decides to leave City for Bayern with Pavard lined up as replacement
Walker won’t renew contract
Man City may have just won the treble but they could be about to lose one of their most experienced players. Walker has been an integral part of Pep Guardiola’s side over the past few seasons but the defender has made the decision to not renew his contract – which has just one year left to run.
Walker has therefore decided he wants to leave the Etihad this summer and has chosen the German champions. On the potential move, Plettenberg said: ‘FC Bayern has been waiting for his ‘yes’ for days. Today Walker has decided to join Bayern this summer.’
The journalist goes on to reveal that Bayern bosses have been made aware of the England international’s decision and that negotiations between City and Bayern will start ‘soon’.
The 33-year-old defender joined City for £ 50 million from Tottenham in 2017 and has gone on to make over 250 appearances for the club.
During his time in Manchester, the England international has won five Premier League titles, four League Cup’s, two FA Cup’s and the Champions League.
Walker was, however, disappointed to not make the starting line-up for the recent Champions League final and was told by Gurdiola earlier in the campaign he could not play in the inverted full back. A combination of these two things may have played a factor in his decision to leave the Etihad and may feel it is a good time to move on.
Capped 76 times by England, Walker will also want to make sure he is playing regularly next season with the European Championships – in Germany – next summer.
Pavard could head in opposite direction
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has also revealed that Bayern’s Benjamin Pavard is now top of City’s list to replace Walker and that the deal is ‘advanced’ on the player’s side. He goes on to say that City and Bayern will now meet to discuss the transfers of both Walker and Pavard.
The Frenchman would be an ideal replacement for Walker and would slot straight in at City with his ability to play at both right back and centre back , and, at 27, City would also be getting a player who is arguably at the peak of his career.
Pavard also boasts a trophy cabinet as full as those at City with four Bundesliga titles and the Champions League with Bayern as well as the World Cup with France in 2018.
Previous reports have also stated that Pavard has asked to leave Bayern this summer making it an ideal situation for both clubs, but could face competition from Liverpool who were reported as interested in the player earlier in the window, although this seems unlikely.
