Kyle Walker, the 34-year-old full-back for Manchester City, may be approaching the end of his tenure at the Etihad Stadium.
Despite his contract running until 2026, it’s becoming increasingly unlikely that City will extend his deal.
Walker, a key figure in City’s success since his arrival from Tottenham Hotspur in 2017, may soon leave the Premier League champions.
Speculation suggests that Walker’s future could lie outside of England, with Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli reportedly interested in a high-profile transfer.
Nearly 18 months ago, Walker was close to a move to Bayern Munich, but that transfer fell through, keeping him at City.
Now, Al-Ahli, one of Saudi Arabia’s top clubs, is pursuing him as part of their aggressive recruitment of European talent.
A move to Saudi Arabia could appeal to Walker for multiple reasons, including the chance to escape the intense scrutiny of the English media.
Additionally, Al-Ahli is reportedly offering a significant financial package that could more than double his current £175,000-per-week salary at City to £400,000 per week, making him one of the highest-paid footballers globally.
Manchester City is not expected to obstruct Walker’s potential departure and would reportedly let him go for a fee of around £15 million.
With financial backing from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Al-Ahli is well-positioned to meet this price.
Since joining City, Walker has made 308 appearances, scoring six goals and providing 23 assists, while playing a crucial role in the club’s six Premier League title wins.
However, with City bringing in younger players, they may see this as an opportunity to offload a veteran and reinvest in the squad.
If Walker moves to Al-Ahli, it would be another high-profile departure from the Premier League to the Saudi Pro League, where he could continue competing at a high level while securing a substantial financial deal before retirement. The possibility of this transfer appears to be gaining momentum.
