Manchester City captain subject to ‘serious interest’ from Saudi Arabia – mouthwatering transfer fee mooted

Manchester City and England star Kyle Walker has become the latest player to be linked with a big-money move to Saudi Arabia this summer.

The 33-year-old, who missed Manchester City’s goalless Premier League draw with Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon due to a hamstring injury, signed a new contract until 2026 in September.

Walker was subject to major transfer interest from Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, but rejected the chance to move to Germany in favour of signing a new two-year contract extension with Manchester City.

The right-back has made 292 appearances for Manchester City since signing from Tottenham in 2017, winning 16 trophies including five Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League.

Walker, who missed out on starting the Champions League Final in Istanbul in June, has started 37 matches for Pep Guardiola’s side so far this season – six more starts than during the entirety of the last campaign.

The Englishman also became Manchester City captain following the departure of Ilkay Gundogan last summer, but the Sky Blues could be set for another leadership change amid fresh exit reports.

The 33-year-old has been linked with a summer exit to the Saudi Pro League, potentially becoming the third Manchester City player to move to the Middle East, following both Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte.

According to the information of Manchester City insider ‘Tolmie’s Hairdoo’ on X, Walker is subject to ‘serious interest’ from representatives of the Saudi Pro League, who have even outlined a willingness to pay a fee in the region of £40 million for the 33-year-old.

The full-back will ‘have a say’ in the transfer decision, with it unknown whether the England international would be willing to move from the Premier League to Saudi Arabia.

England midfielder Jordan Henderson came under fire for moving to the country last summer, and subsequently quit Saudi Arabia for Ajax during the January transfer window.

Fellow senior City star Kevin De Bruyne has also been linked with a potential move to the Saudi Pro League, with a number of clubs interested in signing the 32-year-old at the end of the season.

De Bruyne is out of contract at the end of the 2024/25 campaign, and is yet to hold extension talks with Etihad officials.