Kyle Walker will hold further talks with AC Milan this week as he looks to secure his exit from Manchester City.
The Italian team are clear favorites for his signature at the moment and are prepared to make a formal offer for the City captain in the next few hours. They have already outlined a two-and-a-half-year deal for the 34-year-old, who informed City sporting director Txiki Begiristain on Thursday that he wishes to explore a move abroad.
Walker was left out of City's squad for the 8-0 FA Cup victory over Salford City and did not take part in training on Sunday.
Milan consultant Zlatan Ibrahimovic has played a key role in the negotiations and the Italian club are hopeful of reaching an agreement with City before rival competition comes to the fore.
A move for Walker would put an end to Milan's proposed loan deal for Manchester United's Marcus Rashford as, post-Brexit, Serie A regulations only allow Italian clubs to sign one British player per transfer window.
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.
Kyle Walker will hold further talks with AC Milan after they outlined a two-and-a-half-year deal.
He has expressed to Manchester City his desire to move forward and also has interest from Saudi Arabia
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.
It is understood that he is interested in staying in Europe to look after his family.
City will also look to complete deals for Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov and Eintracht Frankfurt striker Omar Marmoush this week.
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.
City manager Pep Guardiola confirmed on Saturday night that Walker had asked to explore a move abroad, saying: “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.”
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola accepts Walker's decision and pays tribute to his successes
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.
Furthermore, the 34-year-old has taken matters into his own hands to try and seal his exit this month.
“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 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
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.
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.
The 33-year-old 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.”
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 a candidate for a big money transfer to a Saudi Arabian club like Al-Nassr.
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.
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.
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.
Lauryn revealed that the soccer ace did not receive any Christmas gifts for his children, Kairo and Kinara.
'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?'
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.”