Kyle Walker’s Man City career OVER as AC Milan agree 12-month loan move – but deal end’s Rashford transfer interest
KYLE WALKER is to join AC Milan after agreeing a 12-month loan deal, SunSport can reveal.
The Manchester City skipper, 34, is expected in Italy in the coming days before being unveiled to the Rossoneri.
He was poised to join their fierce city rivals, Inter, after telling City of his desire to quit the Etihad but talks broke down over his wages.
AC Milan have now agreed a deal that will see the Serie A giants pick up the majority of his £150,000 weekly pay packet.
The deal brings Walker’s glittering eight-year career at City to a close – for now at least – and ends Milan’s long-running interest in Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford.
Under strict Serie A rules, clubs can only sign one British player a year.
A source said: “The deal is done. Kyle is keen to get to Italy as soon as possible for the formalities.
“He’s excited about the future and can’t wait to pull on the famous shirt.
“He’s now an AC Milan player.”
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The race to sign Walker began just over a week ago after he informed the club he wanted to quit.
Boss Pep Guardiola revealed his desire to leave after his side’s 8-0 mauling of Salford in the FA Cup.
Walker was left out of the squad for the tie and was missing days later for the 2-2 draw with Brentford.
Guardiola revealed: “Kyle asked to explore the option to play abroad.
“He asked after the Treble, when Bayern Munich wanted him, but the offer was not good enough.
“I prefer to play players whose mind is here. Kyle asked to explore but it doesn’t mean it’s going to happen because you never know.
“We cannot understand the success that the club had these years without Kyle. It is impossible.
“He has been our right-back and given us something we didn’t have. He’s been amazing.
“But now in his mind, for many reasons, he would like to explore if he can go to another country to play his last years.”
Incredible trophy haul
Walker has won 17 major honours with City since his £50million move from Tottenham in 2017.
His accolades include six Prem titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups and the Champions League.
He ruled out a move to the Saudi league to keep alive his chances of winning more England caps.
He feared a move to the Middle East would almost certainly end his chances of becoming the first black player to reach 100 caps for the Three Lions.
He currently has 93 and would need to make the plane for the World Cup next year to reach the historic milestone.
A source said: “He not about to give up on that dream. He’s achieved so much already – but 100 England caps would be his crowning glory.
“To achieve that, he’s going to have to give everything. He knows his career is coming to an end but he’s not done yet.
“Don’t write him off.”