- Guardiola revealed that Walker approached the club to ask to explore opportunities
- The 34-year-old has been the subject of interest from Saudi Pro League clubs.
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Kyle Walker has asked to leave Manchester City to play abroad, Pep Guardiola dramatically revealed on Saturday.
Walker was left out of the matchday squad for the 8-0 FA Cup third round victory over Salford City despite being fit and available to play.
After the victory, Guardiola confirmed that Walker spoke to him on Thursday and asked him to leave City to “explore opportunities abroad.”
“Two days ago, Kyle asked to explore options to play overseas at the end of his career,” he said.
'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?
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 (left) is reportedly considering backing out of their impending divorce.
“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.”
There is interest in Walker from Saudi Arabia and, after being left out of the starting XI for the reigning Premier League champions, 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.”
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
Walker signed a contract extension following interest from Bayern Munich and spoke last year about how he felt he wanted to “escape” City due to scrutiny over his private life.
“I tried to escape,” he told the Sun in January 2024.
'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.