Manchester City defender Kyle Walker is reportedly closing in on a permanent move to Bayern Munich.
The 33-year-old has been linked with a potential exit from the Etihad Stadium since being dropped from the starting lineup for the Citizens' Champions League final triumph over Inter Milan last month.
A potential return to boyhood club Sheffield United, who have secured promotion to the Premier League, has been mooted for Walker, but perennial Bundesliga winners Bayern appear to be at the front of the queue for his signature.
It is understood that Walker would prefer to remain at Man City, who have opened talks with the right-back over extending his contract which expires in June 2024.
However, Walker is keen to have assurances over playing time next season ahead of representing England at Euro 2024, and so a departure this summer could be the best solution.
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Bayern have held talks with Walker over the last week about a transfer to the Allianz Arena, with head coach Thomas Tuchel said to have identified the experienced defender as a replacement for Joao Cancelo, who has seen his loan spell from Man City come to an end.
According to German news outlet Bild, the Bavarian giants have now offered Walker a two-year contract with the options of a 12-month extension.
Bayern have traditionally offered just one-year contracts to players over the age of 30, but they are said to be prepared to break this 'unwritten law' to lure Walker to Germany.
The report adds that Bayern chiefs are in "intensive talks" with Walker's representatives and an agreement is said to be "imminent".
Should Walker reach an agreement over personal terms, Bayern will enter negotiations with Man City over a transfer fee, with the Citizens believed to value the defender between €20m (£17m) and €30m (£25.5m).
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During his six-year career at the Etihad, Walker has made a total of 254 appearances for Man City across all competitions, including 31 starts in 39 games during the club's historic treble-winning campaign in 2022-23.
Walker was briefly left out of Pep Guardiola's side during the second half of the season, with the Catalan boss citing that the Englishman "cannot play" in the inverted full-back role that John Stones thrived in after the World Cup break.
Nevertheless, Walker regained his place in Guardiola's starting lineup, albeit operating on the right side of a back three, and started 11 of City's final 13 matches in all tournaments.
Walker has won a total of 14 trophies with the Citizens including five Premier League titles, four EFL Cups, two FA Cups, two Community Shields and the Champions League.
Should Walker leave the Etihad this summer, Guardiola has the likes of Stones, Manuel Akanji and Rico Lewis within his squad who can all operate on the right side of defence.
Oliver Thomas
