Kyle Walker has rejected a move to Saudi Arabia in a bid to keep his chances of playing for England alive. Walker has informed Manchester City chiefs that he wants to leave the club in this month's transfer window. The decision came out of the blue, with the right-back having been a key player for Pep Guardiola's side this season.
The 34-year-old has spent eight years with City, winning seven Premier League titles, two FA Cups and the Champions League. He has endured a difficult campaign this term though, with his form enduring a downturn. He was left out of the hammering of Salford City in the FA Cup on Saturday due to his transfer request. Despite demanding an exit though, Walker has turned down one possible move.
THE FA CUP GIANT KILLERS: Get your special edition magazine celebrating some of the game's greatest-ever upsets. According to The Sun, Walker rejected a mega-money move to the Saudi Pro League because he still holds ambitions of earning 100 caps for England. He has been capped 93 times for the Three Lions so far.
But the defender fears that a move to the Middle East would see him fall out of Thomas Tuchel's plans. The decision to reject Saudi is said to have nothing to do with his wife Annie Kilner. Walker has four children with Kilner, but also has two kids with ex-mistress Lauryn Goodman. Instead of Saudi, Walker is targeting a move to Italy, in the hope of leaving his 'tangled love live' behind.
The 34-year-old's decision to reject a move to the Saudi Pro League comes as Guardiola kept the door firmly open for Walker to remain. The Spaniard has insisted any deal taking him away from the Etihad has to be right for City as well as the England international.
