Kyle Walker given Wayne Rooney & David Beckham advice as Lauryn Goodman saga has ‘taken its toll’ on want-away Man City defender

Walker, who has been at the Etihad Stadium since 2017, has informed the reigning Premier League champions of his desire to move on. A mooted switch to Saudi Arabia is now considered to be unlikely, with the 34-year-old England international expected to remain in Europe – with AC Milan one of his many suitors.

A fresh start on the pitch is being sought amid plenty of distractions off it, with Walker having to juggle the demands of his professional life with personal issues that have seen questions asked of his marriage to Annie Kilner after fathering two children with ex-Love Island contestant Goodman.

He is not the first to experience such troubles, with Manchester United legend Roy Keane – speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet – saying of the need for Walker to take inspiration from a couple of Old Trafford icons: “A lot of players have off the pitch issues – not just Kyle Walker – and eventually it does catch up with your performance on the pitch and it takes its toll on you. I have no problem with a player saying that he needs a change, but in the middle of the season when your team are struggling – I would just bide my time. I still think Manchester City will look at this as a business deal.

“It is affecting his game now – I think it has taken its toll. Other players have been under huge pressure, whether it be Wayne Rooney or David Beckham, they get on with it and the best place for them to be is the football pitch. For other players, the pressure piles on them and then their performances are affected. I think Pep will look after him [Walker], but whether that’ll mean letting him go on the cheap, I don’t know.”

Another United great, Gary Neville, added on Walker’s transfer request: “He’s captain of the team, it’s midway through a challenging season. When I saw that he had asked to leave, he’s got a good relationship with the manager – but I reckon he said he’s just done. At City, the demands of Pep Guardiola and playing at that level, I think he thinks that he can’t do it anymore at this level and just wants to get out. Mentally and physically, he just looks beaten – that’s just what I feel, I don’t know.”

Walker is under contract at City through to the summer of 2026. He is, however, looking for a new challenge – after winning 17 trophies with the Blues - and would like to secure a move elsewhere before the January transfer window comes to a close.