Champs will wait & see on Walker
MANCHESTER CITY will wait until next year to sort out Kyle Walker’s future.
The defender, 32, has 20 months left on his current contract with the Premier League champions.
Walker has been missing this month through injury but was still included in England’s latest squad to face Italy and Germany in the Nations League.
And he remains first choice in the right-back role for both club and country.
But the City hierarchy have decided to delay talks about extending his stay at The Etihad beyond July 2024 until after the World Cup finals.
Although a regular under Pep Guardiola and having an excellent fitness record in his time with the club, Walker’s age means that he is entering the twilight of his elite career.
That’s why City are in no rush to tie down the former Tottenham ace just yet.
They will monitor how he copes with a possible five weeks’ action in Qatar with England and then resuming City’s latest bid for domestic and European glory.
Walker has 68 caps and he has been equally important to City.
After joining them in a then-record £50million move from Spurs in 2017, Walker has won four Premier League titles, four League Cups and one FA Cup.
Both parties are “relaxed” regarding the long-term future but, equally, are aware the matter needs to be addressed before next summer.
One consideration for Walker is to wind up his glittering career back where it all started – at his boyhood club Sheffield United.
His beloved Blades are riding high in the Championship and would appeal even more were they to secure promotion.