Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has confirmed captain Kyle Walker has asked to leave the club.

Walker, 34, has been left out of Manchester City’s squad for Saturday’s game FA Cup win over Salford 8-0.

After the game, Guardiola said: “In his (Walker’s) mind, for many reasons, he wanted to explore it, to go to another country, to play his final years (elsewhere).

“For that reason I prefer playing against other like-minded players.”

Since joining City from Tottenham Hotspur in 2017 for £50 million, Walker has helped City win 17 trophies, including six Premier League titles and the Champions League.

After Manchester City won the Triple Crown in 2023, he almost joined Bayern Munich, but he signed a contract extension with Bayern until 2026.

Guardiola said: “We cannot understand the success we have had over the years without Kyle. It would be impossible.”

“Having a right-back (like him) gives us something we don’t have and he’s fantastic.

“But he said he wanted to explore it from the heart.”

The England international has seen his game time reduced this season, starting just nine games in the Premier League and has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.

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