Kyle Walker holds secret ‘leaving party’ as he nears transfer from Man City to one of two Italian teams in bid to keep England career alive – and escape Lauryn Goodman ‘nightmare’
Kyle Walker held a ‘farewell party’ for friends this weekend, with his career at Manchester City seemingly coming to an end.
The England defender will end a seven-and-a-half year spell at the Etihad with a move to Italy for the remainder of the season.
Both Milan clubs are vying for his services and Mail Sport understands that any loan deal could result in a permanent two-year deal if it is concluded.
Sources have revealed that Walker is determined to win 100 caps for England, a situation that is part of his thinking.
He is currently ranked 93 and is his country’s vice-captain. However, his position under new manager Thomas Tuchel remains to be seen.
Walker, 34, was left out of City’s squad for Saturday’s 8-0 defeat to Salford City, after which Pep Guardiola revealed he had asked to ‘explore the possibility’ of playing abroad.
Kyle Walker hosted a ‘departing party’ ahead of his expected departure from Man City in January
The full-back has fallen out of favor with the national champions and has asked to leave
Walker (right) was photographed drinking beer in the snow with his friends – including City Kit assistant Adam Smith (second from right) – earlier this week
The party, for close friends, took place at an undisclosed location. Walker is said to have informed the club of his wish to leave on Thursday.
City’s next match is against Brentford on Tuesday and Guardiola revealed he had not yet decided whether his captain would play for the club again.
‘Don’t know. It depends on how we are going to train (players perform in training),” the manager said. ‘It depends on him. The transfer window ends when it ends (at the end of the month) and I don’t know what will happen. I told him, ‘Now it’s a question of the market.’
Guardiola added that the player can continue playing for another four years. “He’s an incredible player with incredible physicality,” he said. “When he is focused, he is unstoppable as a right back. He is a top player, if he is fit he can play professional football for one, two, three or four more years.
‘I have never seen a player with these physical conditions in my career, but he has to decide, not me. It’s not my decision.’
Walker’s prolific reputation as one of the world’s best defenders also continues to attract interest from Saudi Arabian sides, with a host of big-spending teams including Al Nassr, Al Ittihad and Al Ahli all showing interest.
Walker could decide to follow his former City teammate Riyad Mahrez to the oil-rich kingdom and would have no shortage of suitors who could offer the veteran a huge payday as he enters the final years of his career.
However, it is believed that he would like to remain in Europe for his family and to save his marriage to Annie Kilner.
Walker wants to leave City to keep his international career alive. He has 93 caps for his country
Man City boss Pep Guardiola accepted Walker’s decision and paid tribute to his successes
A possible move to Italy for Walker comes as he tries to save his marriage to Annie Kilner
A source said: “It’s only been a few months since Annie served Kyle with divorce papers, but she’s having second thoughts.”
The news comes after Ny Breaking reported on Friday that Kilner is reportedly considering taking back their impending £27million divorce and has moved the star back into the marital home.
The 33-year-old served Walker, 34, with divorce papers in October and kicked him out of the property after discovering he had secretly fathered a second child with his ex Lauryn Goodman, 33.
Sources say Annie, who was pregnant with their fourth child when Lauryn dropped the bombshell, is now having second thoughts about their split and is “quietly working on her relationship with Kyle behind the scenes.”
The insider told MailOnline: ‘The couple are doing everything they can to keep their family as united as possible and protect their four boys from any consequences.
‘They enjoyed Christmas together, as a family, and are continuing to work on their own relationship, but no decisions have been made yet.
‘They want time and peace, away from the spotlight and rumors, to continue working on things behind the scenes.
Walker’s estranged wife served him with divorce papers in October and if she wants to proceed he will face a huge battle for his £27million fortune (pictured with three of their children Roman, 12, Riaan, eight, Reign, six , in December 2023)
Walker, as well as his four children with Annie, shares a son, Kairo, four, and a daughter, Kinara, 18 months, with Lauryn Goodman
They added, “There is so much speculation and scrutiny as to whether Kyle and Annie will make it through this phase of their marriage, but as it stands not much has changed since the situation blew up a year ago.”
The insider also insisted that claims that Annie would remain with Walker for purely financial reasons are untrue, amid links with a lucrative move to Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr.
This comes after the couple made a very public statement as they rang in the new year together.
The pair wore matching pajamas in the Instagram update with their sons Roman, 12, Riaan, eight, Reign, six, and five-month-old Rezon.