The favorites for Kyle Walker's signature after the Manchester City star asked to leave the club to play abroad have emerged as a circle of European and global giants.
Walker was absent from City's matchday squad for their 8-0 FA Cup third round thrashing of lower league rivals Salford despite being fit and available for selection.
City manager Pep Guardiola initially suggested the team captain was not selected for tactical reasons before confirming, after Saturday's cup win, that Walker had spoke to him and asked him to go out to 'explore opportunities abroad'.
Now the clubs trying to recruit the England international have been revealed, with AC Milan the latest to join the mix for Walker.
The Italian giants are showing keen interest in Premier League talent this month and their interest in Walker is also backed up by their communication with Marcus Rashford's camp to bring the Man United star to Milan.
Walker has previously shown interest in leaving City at the conclusion of a season that has seen him win six Premier League and Champions League titles, among several other major club honours.
European giants eyeing Kyle Walker signature after Manchester City star asked to leave
The clubs trying to sign the English international are revealed
AC Milan are among the clubs showing a strong interest in securing Walker's future
His prolific reputation as one of the best defenders in the world has also continued to attract the interest of Saudi Arabian teams, with a host of big-spending teams, including Al Nassr, Al Ittihad and Al Ahli, all showing interest.
Walker could decide to follow his former City team-mate Riyad Mahrez to the oil-rich kingdom and there would be no shortage of suitors who could offer the veteran a huge salary as he enters the twilight years of his career.
The 34-year-old is unlikely to attract a long-term offer from an elite club given his age, but could sign a shorter deal with a Champions League contending club as Bayern Munich consider making another approach after being previously rejected by Walker.
Guardiola confirmed Walker's desire to leave the reigning English champions after City's victory over Salford, stating: 'Two days ago, Kyle asked to explore options to play abroad at the end of his career.
'He asked me two years ago after the Triplet. Bayern Munich wanted him but the offer was not enough. I asked him, the club asked him, how important is this?
“We cannot understand the success the club has had these years without Kyle. It is impossible. He gave us something we didn't have and it has been incredible.
'But now in his mind he would like to explore and go to another country. “That's why I prefer to play with other players who have their minds here, that's all.”
Furthermore, the 34-year-old has taken matters into his own hands to try and seal his exit this month.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola revealed that club captain Kyle Walker asked to leave
Walker has won six Premier League titles since joining Manchester City in 2017.
Walker's personal life has been in the spotlight and his wife Annie Kilner is reportedly considering a return in their impending divorce.
“He went to the club,” Guardiola added.
'I am quite convinced that there is not a single person in our work who does not want to be where they are and be able to perform.
“He's asking to explore (his options) so that maybe it doesn't happen, we don't know, you never know.” Explore the situation and I respect it a lot. I am beyond grateful for what he has done over many years for us.
'He arrived with us eight years ago and we started to win, win, win, win and he has been important for the national team and of course with our team.
'But he has said that he wants to explore in his mind and in his heart and he wants to explore it. Honestly? “I don't know what's going to happen.”
'Did I want to leave City? No, of course I didn't. We are the best team in the world right now. But it was an opportunity to get away from England and the means I was going to have.
“I knew the clock was ticking. I was very close to moving. We were having conversations. I went to a big club, a huge club. But in the end I couldn't go.'
Guardiola's public statement that Walker is now pushing to find an escape route increases the pressure to see if a deal can be reached for a player who will turn 35 before the season ends.
Guardiola revealed that Walker has asked to be able to “explore options to play abroad”
Walker signed a contract extension after interest from Bayern Munich two years ago
Mail Online reported on Friday that Walker's wife, Annie Kilner, is considering recovering from their impending £27million divorce and has moved the star back to the marital home.
WAG, 33, served Walker, 34, with divorce papers in October and kicked him out of the property after she discovered he had secretly fathered a second child with his ex Lauryn Goodman, 33.
Sources say Annie, who was pregnant with her fourth child when Lauryn dropped the bombshell, is now reconsidering their split and is “quietly working on her relationship with Kyle behind the scenes.”
The source told MailOnline: “The couple are committed to keeping their family as close as possible and protecting their four children from any problems.”
'They enjoyed Christmas together, as a family, and continue to work on their own relationship, but no decisions have been made yet.
'They would love to have time and quiet away from the spotlight and rumors to be able to continue working on things behind the scenes.
They added: “There is a lot of speculation and scrutiny about whether Kyle and Annie will make it through this phase of their marriage, but as it stands, nothing much has changed since the situation blew up a year ago.”
The source also insisted that claims Annie would stay with Walker for purely financial reasons are not true, amid links to a lucrative move to Al-Nassr of the Saudi Pro League.
Walker's estranged wife served him with divorce papers in October and, if she wants to proceed, he will face a mammoth battle for her £27million fortune (pictured with three of their children, Roman, 12, Riaan, eight, Reign, six, in December 2023).
Walker is reported to be a candidate for a big-money transfer to a Saudi Arabian club like Al Nassr.
The couple made a very public statement while celebrating the New Year together.
The couple were seen wearing matching pajamas in the Instagram update with their children Roman, 12, Riaan, eight, Reign, six, and Rezon, five months.
Sharing the new snapshot of her story on Sunday, Walker wrote: “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.”
A fellow football WAG, close to the family, told MailOnline last month: 'Kyle and Annie are putting their marriage problems aside to celebrate Christmas with their children.
'They are the priority for couples and they want to be able to bring Christmas joy to their young family.
'This involves having both parents there. While Annie bears the brunt of taking care of the family, Kyle takes care of his four children and they adore him.
'Talks continue between the two about what their future will be like, but for now it's all about their children and what's best for them.
'Annie is a strong woman who just wants to see her children happy, she will do anything for them, but she hasn't forgotten what Kyle has done. “It’s about the kids, and only the kids.”
Meanwhile, Lauryn revealed that the soccer ace did not receive any Christmas gifts for his children, Kairo and Kinara.
The reality star also attacked Annie by reposting a fan message that called Walker's ex-wife his “ball and chain.”
During a Q&A on Instagram, he was asked: 'Did you try to buy 'that' for the kids for Christmas or even a card or does ball and chain not allow it?'
A source said: “Just a few months ago, Annie served Kyle with divorce papers, but she's reconsidering.”
Walker, in addition to his four children with Annie, shares a son, Kairo, 4, and daughter, Kinara, 18 months, with Lauryn Goodman.
Lauryn revealed that the soccer ace did not receive any Christmas gifts for his children, Kairo and Kinara.
Lauryn responded: 'You said it…'
Walker hopes Lauryn stops “baiting” him on social media in the new year as he claims the reality star is using his name to stay in the spotlight.
The footballer apparently responded amid backlash after it was revealed he did not send his two children Christmas gifts this year.
Although the footballer did not give any gifts to Kairo or Kinara, Walker pledges to support them financially.
A source told MailOnline: 'Kyle has never been involved in the children's celebrations and has brought no gifts except a coat for Kairo a few years ago.
“The latest story seems like Lauryn is using her name to stay in the spotlight.”
They added: 'He is not part of Lauryn's children's daily lives, but he supports them financially: paying for their house, their school and more.
'Kyle and Annie just want to put all this behind them in 2025 and move forward without drama. “They hope Lauryn will do the same instead of goading them on social media.”