'It's not my decision' - Pep Guardiola won't block Kyle Walker's Man City exit as he backs AC Milan-linked defender to keep playing at top level for another four years

The vastly-experienced defender, who is club captain at the Etihad Stadium, has expressed a desire to take on a new challenge outside of England. Walker, who has not started a game for City since the Manchester derby on December 15, played no part in an 8-0 FA Cup third-round demolition of Salford.

Guardiola revealed after that contest that Walker has requested a move elsewhere, with a switch to join USMNT star Christian Pulisic at Serie A giants AC Milan being rumoured. City will have to sanction any deal as their skipper is tied to a contract through to 2026.

Guardiola will not, however, be standing in anybody’s way. City’s boss has said of the 34-year-old full-back that he believes can play on at the highest level for several more seasons: “He is an incredible player with his incredible physicality. When he is focused he is unstoppable as a right-back. He’s a top-class player.

“If he is fit he can play one, two, three, four more years as a professional. I have never seen a player with these physical conditions in my career. But if he wants to explore (other options), the club is going to explore, and he has to decide, not me. It’s not my decision.”

It remains to be seen whether Walker, who has seen individual standards slip this season during an uncharacteristically inconsistent campaign for City, will be freed to leave Manchester during the January transfer window. Guardiola added: “It depends on him. The transfer window will finish when it finishes and I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Walker has been with City since 2017, taking in 319 appearances for the club. He has formed part of 17 trophy triumphs - including a memorable treble in 2022-23 - with six Premier League titles and a Champions League crown figuring prominently on his glittering CV.