Defender arrives in £45m deal
Manchester City have signed Tottenham defender Kyle Walker in a £50m deal, the club announced last Friday. The full back has signed a five year deal thought to be worth an initial £45m, with a further £5m due in add-ons should certain targets be met.
The Blues had been heavily linked with the England international after allowing Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary Sagna to leave on free transfers last month. Walker becomes Pep Guardiola's third signing of the summer, following Bernardo Silva and Ederson Moraes' moves to The Etihad. The Blues are now title favourites with most bookmakers.
“I am thrilled to be signing for City and can’t wait to get started,” Walker said.
“Pep Guardiola is one of the most respected managers in the world and I feel he can help me take my game to a new level.”
“It feels a bit surreal,” the former Sheffield United defender admitted. “I have been at Tottenham for so many years , but I’m excited about beginning a new chapter in my career.
“With the size of the club, we need to go on and pick up silverware, get trophies left, right and centre, and hopefully that can add to my CV because I haven’t won that many things so far in my career. Tottenham was a great club, it helped me to get me to where I am now. I’ve learned a lot, especially under Mauricio Pochettino, he’s been fantastic with me.
“But sometimes your path isn’t there and you have to move on and what a place to come and take a different path. Just win trophies - that’s all I’m about and all I want to do.”
Walker made 183 senior appearances for Spurs in an eight year stint at the club, scoring four goals in the process, but fell out with Pochettino towards the end of last season.
Txiki Begiristain, the Club’s Director of Football, added: “Kyle is a fine full-back, one capable of producing quality at both ends of the pitch.
“We’ve followed his progress at Tottenham and have been really impressed by how he has developed. He is now one of the best right-backs in the Premier League and justifiably an England regular.
“I am sure he will be a success at Manchester City this season and beyond.”
City are now expected to step up their efforts to sign French international Benjamin Mendy from AS Monaco for a reported £45m, and could also make a move for Southampton left-back Ryan Bertrand. The Saints are rumoured to be interested in City's Patrick Roberts, which could help facilitate any deal.