Man City captain Kyle Walker set to depart with exit route agreed

Kyle Walker has found a way out of Manchester City - but he might not have played his final game for the Blues.

Walker stunned City and Pep Guardiola this month when he requested to leave for an opportunity abroad following a difficult start to the season plagued with fitness and form issues.

The 34-year-old still has 18 months left on his City contract having signed a three-year deal in 2023 when he flirted with a move to Bayern Munich. He captained the Blues to last season's Club World Cup and Premier League successes, but was displaced by Rico Lewis after returning from the Euros this summer.

Now, he will spend the second half of the season on loan at AC Milan, who have an option to make the move permanent in the summer.

However, Milan do not have an obligation to buy Walker, potentially leaving a scenario where he returns ahead of next season or even for the Club World Cup in June.

When Joao Cancelo left in January 2023 for Bayern Munich, they then passed up their option to buy him permanently before he joined Barcelona on another loan deal before leaving last summer for the Saudi Pro League when Barcelona could not afford his transfer fee.

Walker's departure makes Kevin De Bruyne the new City club captain, having been voted vice-captain behind Walker when the last captain's vote took place.