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Bayern Munich appointed Thomas Tuchel as their manager in March, and whilst he had some help in rivals Borissia Dortmund dropping points, he still managed to oversee an 11th consecutive Bundesliga title. They did however suffer a big beating over two-legs to eventual UEFA Champions League winners Manchester City, and Tuchel has identified one City player he’d like to sign.
Information from Sky Sport Germany understands that Bayern Munich and Man City are involved in ‘concrete negotiations’ over a move that would see England international Kyle Walker move to the German giants. The full back has one-year remaining on his current contract at the Etihad Stadium.
After Man City manager Pep Guardiola, who plans to leave the club in a few years, decided against starting Walker in the recent UEFA Champions League Final against Inter, the future of Walker has become an increased talking point. Now, we’re at a point when Bayern Munich boss Tuchel has already spoken with the 33-year-old and convinced him to move to Allianz Arena.
With the player himself very keen on making the switch, the key now is to finalise an agreement in terms of a fee between the two clubs. Only a few months ago, Guardiola himself stated to the BBC that Walker, formerly of Tottenham Hotspur, would not be able to play the now highly familiar defender/midfielder hybrid role.
That, along with the more recent starting place snub in the UCL Final, Walker now believes it is time for a change. He has been playing his football with the Citizens since signing from Spurs in the summer of 2017. Since then, he has won five Premier League titles, four EFL Cup’s, two FA Cup’s and the recent UEFA Champions League.
Whilst there is still some matters to be concluded before a transfer is struck, it is understood that this should not be a major issue, and that the move is highly likely to be completed prior to the next season beginning. Man City paid £50million to Spurs for the defender, and he has more than paid back that through his countless excellent performances with the club.
Bayern Munich: Would Kyle Walker improve them?
The right back position has been a little bit of a problem area for Bayern Munich under Tuchel. Benjamin Pavard has not really excelled when given the opportunity to impress, and has such been strongly linked with a move away this summer.
Walker may be 33, but he is not seemingly losing any of that pace which has often frustrated opposing left wingers over the years. He did a great job at marking Kylian Mbappe out of the game in the World Cup for England against France, whilst he impressed versus a very much in-form Vinícius Júnior against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League semi-final ties.
He is comfortable in possession, despite what Guardiola may think, and he can allow his team to build from the back. Whilst he may not charge forward as much as he did in his younger days, he is an incredibly assured defender, and can often be seen utilising his great speed to deny opposition counter attacks reaching a critical level.
Walker to Bayern Munich might not be the only player to exit the Premier League champions this summer. Bernardo Silva may be seeking pastures new by making a move to one of Thomas Tuchel’s former clubs.
Manchester City will begin their latest defence of their Premier League title when travelling to Burnley on Friday 11th August. You can check out here the key dates across City’s Premier League fixture list.
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