Galatasaray plot Manchester City negotiations over loan deal for defender | OneFootball

Manchester City are set to be subject to negotiations from Turkish giants Galatasaray over a potential loan deal for their club captain, Kyle Walker.

The Etihad Stadium captain issued a personal request to Txiki Begiristain and Manchester City towards the end of last week, in which the 34-year-old revealed his desire to explore options away from English football this month.

Walker is unlikely to be short of potential suitors, but some reports have indicated that the prospect of a move to Saudi Arabia does not appeal to him, with a clear intent to remain in European football at this stage of his career.

In the days that have followed his transfer request being submitted, both Milan clubs have been linked with interest, although AC Milan are understood to be at a crossroads over whether to pursue Walker or Marcus Rashford due to Serie A rules on non-EU players.

Now, there appears to be a new possibility emerging at the top-level of European football, with Turkish media linking one of their country’s biggest and best clubs with a move for a temporary deal for the player.

That is according to the information of Turkish news outlet Fanatik, as translated and relayed by Sport Witness, who report that Galatasaray have now been given ‘full authority’ to try and ‘detonate a big bombshell’ on the market through Manchester City’s Kyle Walker.

It is claimed that highly-thought of football agent, George Gardi has been brought in by the Turkish giants to try and negotiate a loan deal for the Manchester City captain, with negotiations to start as soon as possible.

Manager Pep Guardiola has remained calm about the situation surrounding his captain, not offering any further insight on the future of the player after his revelations issued after the 8-0 win over Salford City on Saturday evening.

Speaking during a recent media conference, Guardiola said, “At the end of the transfer window, if he stays at the Club we’ll be happy he stays. If he has to leave, it will happen. The rest, I don’t want to add anything else.”

Others have been more critical of Walker when speaking publicly about his decision, with former Manchester United midfielder and now-pundit Roy Keane telling the ‘Stick To Football’ podcast, “I have no problem with a player saying he needs change.

“But in the middle of the season when your team are struggling, I’d bide my time. I still think Manchester City look at this as a business deal. He’s got a good relationship with the manager. But I reckon he said he’s done.”

Keane continued, “At City, the demands of Pep Guardiola, that level, I think he thinks he can’t do it anymore and just wants out. Mentally and physically, he looks beaten – that’s what I feel. Other players have been under huge pressure, they get on with it and the best place for them is the football pitch.

“For others, the pressure piles on them and their performances are affected. I think Pep will look after him, but whether that’ll mean letting him go on the cheap, I don’t know.”