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Kyle Walker has hit out at suggestions he “didn't turn up” for Manchester City's match against Brentford on Tuesday night amid his ongoing transfer saga.
Mail Sport exclusively revealed that Pep Guardiola had left Walker at home ahead of the 2-2 draw after the defender asked to leave the club.
Both Milan clubs are competing for his services and Mail Sport understands any loan deal could become a permanent two-year deal once concluded.
Walker was also left out of City's 8-0 thrashing of Salford in the FA Cup at the weekend, with Guardiola later revealing he had requested to “explore the option” of playing abroad.
After the Brentford game, one account wrote on X: 'Kyle Walker's behavior is completely unacceptable. As club captain, not showing up for games is a shame.
'If you want to leave, do it with respect, this is not the way. Their lack of commitment has been a major factor in this disappointing campaign.
Kyle Walker has responded to criticism that he “didn't show up” for Manchester City's 2-2 draw at Brentford.
Pep Guardiola left his captain at home after he went to the club and asked him to explore his options
But Walker, who has been at City for seven-and-a-half years, replied: 'He didn't turn up?
“I can't be at Brentford and train at the same time. Maybe you need to check your sources.
Guardiola has admitted he has not decided whether Walker, 34, will play for the club again. Their next game will be on Sunday at Ipswich.
After the 8-0 win over Salford, the manager said: “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.”
Phil Foden gave City a 2-0 victory over the London side, but Thoms Frank's team equalized late
Both Milan clubs appear to be interested and a possible move for Walker to Italy comes as he tries to save his marriage to Annie Kilner.
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).
There is interest in Walker from Saudi Arabia and, having been left out of the starting line-up with the reigning Premier League champions, he 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.”