Back in Blue? Walker’s Future Unclear After Kit Launch Cameo

Kyle Walker’s stint in Serie A has taken a curious twist after AC Milan’s dramatic 2025-26 kit launch included the Manchester City loanee front and centre—despite widespread reports suggesting his time in Italy is all but over.

The 34-year-old England right-back joined the Rossoneri on loan in January, bringing an end to a glittering seven-and-a-half-year spell at the Etihad. He was thrown straight into the action, helping Milan to an unbeaten run in his first three starts, but form and fortunes quickly faded as the club faltered both in Serie A—where they currently sit a disappointing ninth—and on the European stage.

Earlier this month, reputable Italian outlet Calciomercato reported that Milan had opted not to activate the £4.2 million clause to sign Walker permanently. A combination of the veteran’s elbow injury and the emergence of 20-year-old Alex Jimenez has reportedly tilted the decision against extending his stay. Jimenez, a product of Real Madrid’s youth ranks, has impressed since making the leap from Milan’s U23s, clocking 20 league appearances and injecting pace and youth down the right flank.

Yet Walker’s prominent role in Milan’s latest kit unveiling video has raised fresh eyebrows. The 46-second promotional clip features the England international on three occasions, proudly modelling the club’s strip for next season—a move typically reserved for players expected to play a part in the campaign ahead.

That inclusion has fuelled speculation of a possible U-turn, or at the very least, added an air of ambiguity to his immediate future. Historically, clubs have avoided including players with uncertain contracts in promotional material, though there are notable exceptions. Chelsea’s 2019 kit launch, which starred Eden Hazard just weeks before his departure to Real Madrid, remains a cautionary tale.

For his part, Walker has been candid about his emotional departure from Manchester. Speaking on his BBC podcast, the defender revealed, “After I said my goodbyes, Pep [Guardiola] got up and spoke and said a really nice message to me, just saying thank you for everything. But listen, it’s not over. I’m just on loan here. I’ve got to take that into consideration that I can go back. The chapter’s not fully closed—we’ll see what happens.”

Walker’s decision to leave City stemmed largely from a desire for regular minutes ahead of this summer’s European Championships. With competition for England’s right-back berth as fierce as ever, the former Spurs man feared falling down the pecking order. His concerns have since been validated—he featured in both of Thomas Tuchel’s England lineups during March’s World Cup qualifiers, a nod to his continued international relevance.