Guardiola, in April, bluntly stated that Walker, who excels with his pace on the overlap rather than coming infield, might not fit into his new system, hinting at a possible departure for the England international.
Initially linked with a move to Bayern Munich, Walker eventually extended his contract with Manchester City until the summer of 2026, playing a crucial role in Guardiola's team during the early stages of the 2023-24 season.
Versatile in positions such as right-back, right wing-back, and center-back, Walker has made 17 starts in various competitions, consistently completing the full 90 minutes in all 12 Premier League games, with one assist against Nottingham Forest.
As current captain Kevin De Bruyne is sidelined due to a hamstring issue, Walker has taken on the captain's role in 16 instances this season, including leading the team to a UEFA Super Cup triumph over Sevilla. Despite having three more years on his contract, Walker will be 36 when it expires, prompting Manchester City to explore potential replacements.
According to reports from The Independent via the Manchester Evening News, Chelsea's Reece James is a top candidate to assume the right-back position from Walker, and Guardiola is reportedly a big admirer of James's qualities. Known for his strengths in wide positions, James, despite facing injuries in his career, was appointed club captain by Mauricio Pochettino this summer.
The 23-year-old, part of Chelsea's academy since 2006, has featured in 152 senior appearances, scoring 11 goals and providing 20 assists.
