Pep Guardiola confirms talks with Kyle Walker over Bayern Munich transfer
Pep Guardiola has admitted he has no idea what his Manchester City squad will look like when they kick off the defence of their Treble.
Guardiola looked angry and frustrated ahead of the opening game of City’s pre-season tour of Japan and South Korea on Sunday as he contemplated the prospect of losing FIVE of the players who helped him win the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup last season.
There are still huge doubts over the futures of Bernardo Silva, Kyle Walker and Aymeric Laporte after all three made it clear to Etihad bosses that they are considering their futures, while captain Ilkay Gundogan has already left for Barcelona after refusing to sign a new contract and winger Riyad Mahrez is close to joining Saudi club Al Ahli for £30 million.
Guardiola has been left shocked by the possibility of having the squad that made history torn apart with the Community Shield clash with Arsenal just two weeks away - and he has been forced to bring full-back Joao Cancelo back into the fold after the out-of-favour Portuguese full-back returned from a loan spell with Bayern Munich.
City have signed £30 million Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea, but their bid to land RB Leipzig’s outstanding young centre-back Josko Gvardiol is in limbo after City refused to pay the German club’s £87 million valuation of the Croat.
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Guardiola admitted: “Honestly, I didn't think there (would be) this movement. I think many things are going to happen. The reason I can’t answer is because I don't know. I want the best for my players - and of course, the club is involved with that as well.”
Guardiola made history by becoming the first manager to win the Treble in two of the top leagues in Europe when City lifted the Champions League for the first time by beating Inter Milan in Istanbul just six weeks ago. He guided Barcelona to the La Liga, Champions League and Copa del Rey in 2009.
Kyle Walker has been linked with a move away from Man City after helping them to the treble last season (Getty Images)Do you think Kyle Walker will move to Bayern Munich? Share your predictions in the comments below
But after doing some early business to sign Kovacic, they pulled out of the race to sign Declan Rice when Arsenal offered to pay West Ham a British-record £105 million. Gundogan departed for Barca after the Catalan offered him a three-year deal, while Mahrez decided to take Al Ahli’s riches after being benched for the FA Cup Final and Champions League Final.
Walker is high on Thomas Tuchel's wish list at Bayern despite City’s offer of a new contract and they are also willing to hand Silva a pay-hike with the Portuguese once again interested in leaving after Barcelona, Paris St Germain and Al Hilal.
Laporte can leave for £50 million after spending much of last season on the bench - but only if City do a deal for Gvardiol. Guardiola has told the club that Cancelo is not in his plans after becoming a disruptive dressing room influence.
He revealed: “I spoke with Kyle and everything is right - so now we will see what happens. But I can’t tell you anything because he is still thinking about it. Joao is here and has been important for us in the past. He is back and part of the group, so we will see what happens.”
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