Kyle Walker has revealed that he is open to returning to Manchester City this summer following his loan spell with AC Milan.
The 34-year-old left the Citizens in January after handing in a transfer request and joined Milan on a temporary basis until the end of the season, with the Serie A giants having the option to sign the right-back for €5m (£4.2m) in the summer.
Walker established himself as one of the best right-backs in world football during the prime years of his career at Man City, where he has made over 300 appearances and won a total of 17 trophies including six Premier League titles, four EFL Cups, two FA Cups and one Champions League.
However, Walker’s form dipped at a time when Man City suffered an alarming decline towards the end of last year on all fronts, before the 95-cap England international expressed to Pep Guardiola his desire to pursue a fresh challenge abroad.
Explaining why he decided to join Milan in January, Walker said on his podcast ‘You’ll Never Beat Kyle Walker‘: “In football, I think when certain things come, or certain opportunities come, you have to take it… You have to take it, and for me to experience a different league, for me to experience a different culture, for me to play for a club like AC Milan… I don’t think you can turn that down.
“When you know they want you, or you want to go there, and you want to have a new challenge, I think there are certain clubs in the world that you kind of can’t say no to.”
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Walker has played 11 times for Milan and it is understood that the Italian club – who currently sit ninth in the Serie A table and are in danger of failing to qualify for Europe – are keen to keep hold of the experienced defender beyond this season.
Guardiola was questioned about Walker’s future last week and when asked if he still views the defender as his player at Man City, he simply replied: “No. He’s a player for Milan”.
Walker opens up on Guardiola conversations prior to Man City exit
Nevertheless, Walker has refused to ruled out a return to the Etihad Stadium in the summer and has opened up on the emotional conversations that he held with Guardiola before departing on loan in January.
“I wanted to say goodbye to the lads in the canteen before I left when I knew the deal was complete,” said Walker.
“[The player liaison officer] actually texted the whole building! So, there were 150 people there and I had to say goodbye, which was a little bit nerve wracking, and it was sad because as much as people might have this persona about me or whatever, I did speak to completely everyone in that building from the cleaners, to the cooks, to the kit men, to the physios…
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“It’s not over” – Walker opens door to Man City return
“But, after I said my goodbyes, Pep got up and spoke and said a really nice message to me, just saying thank you for everything. But, listen, it’s not over. I’m just on loan here.
“I’ve got to take that into consideration that I can go back. Obviously, both parties need to come to an agreement come the end of the season and…Listen, the chapter’s not fully closed, but we’ll see what happens.”
Should Walker return to Man City and not join Milan permanently, he would have just one year remaining on his contract at the Etihad.
Guardiola has used Rico Lewis and midfielder Matheus Nunes at right-back in the absence of Walker, but both players have struggled for consistency when called upon this season.
It is understood that Man City will look to sign at least one new full-back this summer, with recent reports claiming that the Citizens are plotting a move for Liverpool-linked Bayer Leverkusen star Jeremie Frimpong, who spent nine years in City’s academy between 2010 and 2019.
