Kyle Walker, the seasoned Manchester City and England right-back, stands at a career crossroads as Turkish giants Fenerbahce have tabled a lucrative two-year contract offer to lure the 35-year-old to Istanbul. The move comes after a bittersweet loan spell at AC Milan, where the Serie A club opted not to exercise their €5 million option to sign him permanently, paving the way for Walker’s potential departure from the Premier League champions. With just one year left on his City contract and his exclusion from Pep Guardiola’s Club World Cup squad, Walker’s future lies abroad, and Fenerbahce, led by Jose Mourinho, see him as the ideal addition to their Turkish Super Lig title chase.
Walker’s journey to this point has been marked by triumphs and challenges. Since joining Manchester City from Tottenham Hotspur in 2017 for £50 million, he has been a cornerstone of their dominance, amassing 17 trophies, including six Premier League titles, four EFL Cups, two FA Cups, and the 2023 Champions League as part of a historic treble. Renowned for his blistering pace and defensive tenacity, Walker earned praise from teammates like Neymar and Eden Hazard, who called him one of the toughest opponents they’ve faced. Yet, the 2024-25 season saw him fall out of favor at City, starting just nine Premier League matches and one Champions League game before his January 2025 loan to Milan. “Manchester City… where do I start?” Walker wrote on Instagram upon leaving. “Signing for this incredible club in 2017 was a dream come true. Seven years later, winning 17 trophies… is something I could only have dreamt as a child.”
His Milan stint began with promise, starting seven of his first eight Serie A matches under Sergio Conceicao. However, injuries, including a fractured elbow, and inconsistent form saw him relegated to substitute roles in Milan’s final three league games, prompting the club to decline a permanent deal. “I wanted to cry,” Walker admitted on his podcast, *You’ll Never Beat Kyle Walker*, recalling his emotional farewell to City’s staff, from cooks to kit men. Despite the setback, he left the door ajar for a City return, saying, “The chapter is not full closed,” though Guardiola’s comments that Walker is “not part of the club’s plans” suggest otherwise.
Fenerbahce’s offer, which includes a €5 million transfer fee and a €8 million net salary plus €2.5 million in bonuses per year, has ignited serious talks. “Official talks have begun with the player’s agent regarding the terms of the contract,” a source close to the negotiations revealed. Walker, who rejected Saudi club offers to stay competitive for England’s 2026 World Cup squad under Thomas Tuchel, is reportedly open to joining Mourinho’s project. The move would see him replace Bright Osayi-Samuel and bolster Fenerbahce’s defense as they trail Super Lig leaders Galatasaray by 11 points. Walker’s experience captaining City and earning 95 England caps makes him a prized target.
Reflecting on his career, Walker expressed a deep connection to his roots. On his podcast, he mused about trading a Premier League medal for a Europa League title with Tottenham, saying, “I’d probably give up one Premier League title… to have won that Europa League with Tottenham because I know what it means.” His recent struggles, including a lackluster performance in England’s 3-1 friendly loss to Senegal, have raised doubts about reaching 100 caps, but his ambition remains undimmed. “I’ve spoken to many ex-players who never moved abroad and told me they wished they had,” he said, explaining his Milan move. “If it hadn’t been a big club, I’d have stayed with City.”
As negotiations with Fenerbahce progress, Walker’s next step could redefine his legacy. With City rebuilding—signing defenders Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis—and Walker’s contract nearing its end, Istanbul beckons as a chance to reignite his career under Mourinho’s guidance. For a player who transformed City’s full-back role, this bold move promises to add another thrilling chapter to an already storied career.
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