Saudi Arabia ‘desperate’ to sign 301-appearance Manchester City defender in fresh Pep Guardiola blow

Manchester City captain Kyle Walker is wanted by the Saudi Pro League this summer, despite signing a two-year contract extension in September.

The 34-year-old rejected interest from Bayern Munich in favour of signing a new two-year deal until 2026 at the Etihad Stadium last year, with the full-back becoming Manchester City captain for the recently concluded 2023/24 campaign.

Walker, who captained the Sky Blues to three trophies during the season, could clinch international silverware this weekend, when England face Spain in the European Championship final in Berlin on Sunday evening.

The right-back has featured in six matches for Gareth Southgate’s side at the tournament to date, including starting Wednesday’s dramatic 1-2 win over the Netherlands and the penalty shoot-out victory against Switzerland in the quarter-finals.

Walker has made 89 appearances for the Three Lions and also recently made his 300th appearance for Manchester City, after the Englishman featured 47 times for Pep Guardiola’s side during the club campaign.

The defender has won 17 trophies since arriving at the Etihad Stadium from Tottenham, including six Premier League titles in seven years and the UEFA Champions League.

The future of the 34-year-old could be plunged into uncertainty following the conclusion of the European Championship this weekend, after the Englishman reportedly became the latest Manchester City player to be wanted by the Saudi Pro League this summer.

Give Me Sport claim that Saudi Arabian clubs are ‘desperate’ to try and sign the right-back this summer, with Saudi Pro League bosses planning to try and ‘persuade’ the defender to make a big-money move to the Middle East ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

There is reportedly ‘doubt’ regarding Walker’s intentions to remain in east Manchester beyond this summer, as Manchester City also contend with Saudi Arabian interest in Kevin De Bruyne and Ederson.

Ederson has been offered a mouth-watering proposal to move to Al-Nassr this summer, with the 30-year-old heavily linked with joining former teammate Aymeric Laporte at the Middle Eastern side.

Laporte and Riyad Mahrez both left Manchester City for the Saudi Pro League last summer.