Kyle Walker Set to Depart

Kyle Walker is set to join Everton after being made available by Manchester City. Talks are thought to be underway to finalise the terms of the move.

Now 35, Walker would depart his reputation intact. For the best part of a decade, he has been among the most consistent full-backs in the world game. His pace, experience and positioning shaped the way City defended under Pep Guardiola, particularly in transition. But last season, his role diminished and he ended up with an ultimately uninspiring loan move to AC Milan.

Everton have acted quickly. Fulham showed interest, and AC Milan did consider taking him after his recent loan, but neither followed through. The Merseyside club now look likely to bring him in, to coincide with their exciting move to the new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium.

Since arriving at the Etihad from Tottenham in 2017, Walker made more than 300 appearances and won everything there is to win in English football. He lifted six Premier League titles, played a central role in the club’s domestic dominance, and was part of the squad that finally cracked Europe in 2023. His CV is beyond question.

Even as his City minutes dried up, Walker’s international place held firm. Capped 96 times, he has been a fixture for England across three major tournaments, starting both the Euro 2020 and Euro 2024 finals. 

Walker’s likely move to Everton marks the end of a quietly immense chapter at City. There will be no grand farewells, but the impact he made should not be under-estimated. He arrived as a flying full-back and would leave as one of the best defenders of the Guardiola era.