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Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel comments on Kyle Walker speculation

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 25 July 2023

Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel comments on Kyle Walker speculation

Thomas Tuchel remains coy about Bayern Munich's pursuit of Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker, who is allegedly keen to join the German giants this summer.

Thomas Tuchel has remained coy about Bayern Munich's pursuit of Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker.

For several weeks, the perennial Bundesliga winners have been in talks to sign the 33-year-old, who is understood to have informed Pep Guardiola of his desire to move to Germany.

Walker has entered the final year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium and has been offered a one-year extension by City, while Bayern are believed to have tabled a two-year contract offer which includes an option to extend by an additional 12 months.

The England international has made 254 appearances for the Citizens in all competitions since joining the club from Tottenham Hotspur in 2017, and he has won 14 trophies including five Premier League titles and the Champions League.

Walker featured 39 times in City's 2022-23 treble-winning campaign, but he lost his regular starting place towards the end of last season and was notably left out of the side that started the Champions League final triumph over Inter Milan.

Manchester City's Kyle Walker celebrates after winning the Premier League on May 21, 2023 © Reuters

The prospect of increased game time and a fresh challenge at another top European club is thought to appeal to Walker at this stage of his career, and Tuchel is believed to be keen to recruit a new right-back amid uncertainty over the future of Benjamin Pavard, who has coincidently been linked with Man City among others.

Walker started as captain in Man City's opening pre-season friendly win over Yokohama F Marinos last weekend, and he is set to be involved again against his potential future club Bayern in a warm-up clash at the National Stadium in Tokyo on Wednesday.

Ahead of the contest, Tuchel was questioned about Bayern's interest in Walker, but the German boss refused to be drawn on speculation and is focused fully on working with his current group of players.

Speaking at a press conference, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News, Tuchel said: "The focus is very clear. We focus on the team. We focus on the players that are contracted to Bayern Munich and they deserve our full support, our full attention, and appreciation.

"That is what we give them. We push everyone as a team to the limit and then we see what is going to happen. We are not the first football team that has changes in the transfer period, we will not be the last.

Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel reacts on May 13, 2023 © Reuters

"The transfer period will go on for another five or six weeks. This is just the situation that we live. To be very honest, we do not break our heads too often about it.

"We have enough to push this team as it is. This is why we are here, we want to push our limits, we want to improve and if changes happen, they happen."

Asked specifically about Bayern's pursuit of Walker, Tuchel replied: "No comment".

Guardiola, meanwhile, has confirmed that Bayern and Man City are in discussions over a possible deal for Walker, but he has insisted that the English champions will "fight" to keep the defender at the Etihad.

Man City have already seen captain Ilkay Gundogan leave the club and join Barcelona on a free transfer this summer, while Riyad Mahrez is on the verge of finalising his move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli.