Kyle Walker exploring Man City exit, Pep Guardiola reveals | OneFootball

Kyle Walker has asked to explore opportunities to leave Manchester City, Pep Guardiola says.

The defender was left out of Guardiola’s squad for his side’s 8-0 thrashing of Salford City in the FA Cup third round.

And Guardiola confirmed after the game that the 34-year-old is exploring an exit from the club.

He said: “It’s not easy for me to say for him because he’s not here but two days ago, Kyle asked to explore the options to play abroad at the end of his career.

“He asked two years ago (to leave). I think Bayern Munich wanted him but the offer was not good enough and the club told him how important he is.

“We cannot understand the success that we’ve had these years without Kyle. It’s impossible. He’s been our right-back and gave us something that we didn’t have and has been amazing.

“Now, in his mind, he would like to explore to go to another country to play his last years for many reasons.

“For that reason, I preferred playing other players whose minds are here, that’s all.”

Asked about his willingness to let players leave should they wish, Guardiola continued: “He went to the club. He went to Txiki (Begiristain, director of football) to speak but of course. Maybe I’m wrong but I’m pretty convinced that not one person in their job, whatever job, that doesn’t want to be where they are, can perform or be exactly what they want to be.

“It’s just to explore. It doesn’t mean it’s going to happen because we never know. He’ll explore the situation, and I respect him a lot because I’m more than grateful for what he’s done in the many years with us since joining eight years ago. After the first season here he started to win, win, win, win.

“He has been important in the national team, your country, and of course important for our team but he said ‘I want to explore in my mind and my heart’ and honestly, I don’t know what’s going to happen.”