Mbappe fear, captain legacy but time to go - Man City urged to make Kyle Walker transfer decision

Manchester City captain Kyle Walker appears destined for the exit door at the Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola confirmed after the FA Cup tie against Salford City that the defender had asked to explore the possibility of playing abroad in the final stages of his career and he has been left out of the last two squads. He is again set to miss out when City travel to Ipswich Town in the Premier League amid rumours of interest from AC Milan and Inter Milan in Italy.

Walker has been a mainstay during the most successful era of City's history having arrived in Guardiola's second campaign in charge. The 34-year-old has won six Premier League titles, four EFL Cups, two FA Cups and a Champions League since arriving at City in 2017.

But he has struggled for form this season. Walker has been responsible for a number of goals conceded and has slipped down the pecking order with Rico Lewis often preferred at right back. Here our City writers discuss his impending transfer and legacy.

There are two competing issues here. Walker's form between 2017 and the summer of 2024, and his form this season. One shouldn't erase the other - and in hindsight, the decision to give him a three year contract 18-months ago was perhaps generous. If he had penned a two year deal we'd be reaching a point where everyone accepts it's time to move on and everyone is happy enough.

Before the summer, Walker was undisputedly the best right-back in the world for club and country. Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr were scared of him and he was confident enough to name his podcast about nobody getting past him.

He was a key part of City's success, transformed the defence on arrival, and captained them to becoming World Champions. He had always proved doubters wrong,