Ibrahimović played a decisive role
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AC Milan have pulled off a transfer coup by signing Kyle Walker. The struggling Italian top club has loaned the 34-year-old from Manchester City until the end of the season. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Rossoneri then exercise a €5 million purchase option for the right-back. In addition, the Italians completely cover the Englishman’s salary. If a permanent signing is made, Walker will sign a contract until 2027 and City will have a share in the sale.
For Walker, Milan is the first stop outside England. As early as 2023, he was toying with a transfer abroad to FC Bayern, but he did not receive approval because, according to Pep Guardiola, the Munich team’s offer was too low. A year and a half later, the time has come and the defender, who trained at Sheffield United, can fulfill his wish.
Walker moved from Tottenham Hotspur to the Citizens for 52.7 million euros in 2017 and made 319 appearances for Guardiola’s team. In all Skyblues games recorded in the TM database, only 22 players were used more frequently (among Man City’s record players). In seven and a half years he won numerous titles with the Skyblues, including the English championship six times and the FA Cup twice. The Champions League victory in 2023 was the crowning achievement of his successful time in Manchester.
Ibrahimović convinces Man City’s Walker from AC Milan
Ahead of the signing, Zlatan Ibrahimović, a close advisor to Milan’s club owners, said about the 93-time England international: “Everyone knows that Walker is a great player, he has achieved great things at City. When someone like him is on the market there is a lot of interest. That doesn’t contradict our vision, because he’s strong, he’s a leader, he’s dominant in the dressing room.” The former Swedish star striker is said to have personally convinced the newcomer to transfer.
For Milan, Walker is the first reinforcement for new coach Sérgio Conceição, who took over the seven-time Champions League winner shortly before the turn of the year and has since achieved four wins in six games.
