Manchester City star Kyle Walker could be on the move, having reached out to his former teammate Riyad Mahrez for advice about a transfer to the Saudi Pro League
Kyle Walker is reportedly considering a big-money move to Saudi Arabia, having held talks with his former Manchester City team-mate Riyad Mahrez about life in the Middle East.
Walker signed a new contract at City last year which is not due to expire until 2026, but the 33-year-old is already thinking about his future amid the ongoing off-field drama surrounding his love life.
The England defender has four children with his wife Annie Kilner and two with his former mistress Lauryn Goodman. Walker and Kilner have since made amends and are said to be focused on their future and “forgetting his past actions”.
However, the drama has continued to play out publicly with recent reports claiming the FA could block Goodman from attending England games at Euro 2024 due to concerns it could distract Walker.
And a new report from the Sun adds that the situation has played a part in Walker considering a move to the Saudi Pro League, despite remaining happy at City. The report states that he would “relish” the fact the move would leave him facing “less public scrutiny”.
It is also claimed he has spoken to Mahrez, who left City to join Al-Ahli last summer, about his experiences in Saudi Arabia. “Kyle has been thinking about his future after the Premier League and thinks a move to Saudi could be perfect for him, Annie, and their kids when he is done here,” the publication quoted a source as saying.
“He has been speaking to Riyad about the football clubs out there and what life is like for people who move there. Obviously, the lifestyle is vastly different.
“Kyle loves playing for Man City and is devoted to the club but he has his head screwed on and has been thinking about what the future holds for him when his time in the Prem and for England is done.
“His conversations with Riyad have opened his eyes to what it is really like to play for the clubs out there and what the reality would be if he moved there. It is something Kyle and Annie have discussed too and she would be open to relocating there at some point in the future with their kids.
“And, of course, there would be a lot less public scrutiny on him which he would relish, especially after the past few months of turmoil which has been so publicly played out.”
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