Manchester City captain Kyle Walker wants to leave the club, Pep Guardiola has confirmed, with AC Milan interested in agreeing a deal.

The 34-year-old played no part in City’s convincing 8-0 win over League Two promotion hopefuls Salford City in the FA Cup third round, leading to questions over his absence in Guardiola’s post-match press conference.

“Two days ago Kyle asked to explore the options to play abroad,” the Spaniard confirmed.

“He asked two years ago after the Treble, Bayern Munich wanted him but the offer was not good enough and the club asked how important he was. We cannot understand the success we have had these years without Kyle, it’s impossible. He gave us something we didn’t have he has been amazing but now in his mind he would like to explore going to another country to play the last few years for many reasons. “

Confirming why Walker did not feature against Salford, Guardiola added: “For that reason I prefer to play other players whose minds are here.”

Walker has 18 months remaining on his City contract and the Telegraph report that Milan are interested in taking the veteran speedster to San Siro. An offer has not yet been put forward to the reigning Premier League champions but Milan are ‘confident of getting a deal over the line’.

There have been no guarantees for Walker this season in regards to a regular starting role, with the emerging Rico Lewis often preferred by Guardiola in both Premier League and Champions League competition.

Walker has enjoyed a tremendously successful eight-year spell at City, winning 14 major trophies after joining from Tottenham Hotspur in a £50m deal. In addition to winning the club’s first-ever Champions League in 2023, Walker has won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups and the Club World Cup.

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