It has been reported that if Kyle Walker leaves, Manchester City could try and make a move for one player.
Kyle Walker’s contract at Manchester City expires in 2026 — a deal he signed with the club in the summer of 2023.
Having turned 34 in May, one wonders how long Walker will be able to play at the highest level.
Man City could try to sign one player if Kyle Walker leaves
Kyle Walker made 41 starts across the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup for Manchester City last season.
Pep Guardiola seems to have full faith in the Englishman, regardless of his age.
But having captained Manchester City to a Premier League title as well, the question is what Walker has left to achieve at club level.
If England win Euro 2024, the former Tottenham Hotspur right-back would be justified in departing European football.
The Athletic have claimed that in the event that Kyle Walker does bid farewell to the Etihad Stadium, the signing of Jeremie Frimpong could entice Manchester City.
The Premier League winners will face competition from Bayern Munich for the Bayer Leverkusen defender’s signature.
In May, it was reported that Manchester City could make a move for Jeremie Frimpong, who has a £35 million release clause in his contract, even if Kyle Walker stays at the club.
The Bundesliga winner is believed to be interested in a transfer to the Premier League.
Can Jeremie Frimpong even be classed as a traditional right-back?
If Manchester City do view Jeremie Frimpong as the heir to Kyle Walker, in our view, that would be a surprising succession plan.
The 23-year-old, unlike Walker is not a right-back associated with keeping defenders quiet and more importantly, he has operated as a right wing-back at Bayer Leverkusen.
Jeremie Frimpong’s role under Xabi Alonso is to primarily bomb down the flank and chip in with goals and assists, unlike Kyle Walker, who is tasked with being a solid defensive presence for Manchester City.
Frimpong might contribute in a much superior way to Walker on the attacking front but the same perhaps cannot be said defensively at City — with Guardiola deploying a back four unlike Alonso’s back five.
The system suits the Dutchman to a tee, who profiles more as a wing-back than a traditional right-back, as opposed to Walker.
However, if City intend to sign Jeremie Frimpong in case Kyle Walker leaves, Pep Guardiola will likely conjure up a plan to make him a suitable fit.