Burnley is getting closer to signing Manchester City defender Kyle Walker. The England international had a health check-up with the Premier League new signing on Friday before signing a £5 million deal.
The 3-year-old is entering the final year of his contract at the Etihad. Although he started last season as a club captain, Walker had to end his campaign on loan at AC Milan. He was expected to join the Rossoneri under a long-term contract, but amid the big upheaval at San Siro, the Serie A team refused to buy them.
Walker, who has won 96 caps for England, was later left out of City's squad for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Therefore, the defender's departure from the Etihad was predicted.
"The end of my time at Man City was not really beautiful as I didn't play much. The reason I joined this great team is to want to show myself more, thereby helping AC Milan win more.
When I spoke to Pep Guardiola about this decision, the discussion was not really comfortable. It happened out of respect for each other. What Pep had at Manchester City, I have fully participated in.
I want Pep to understand that in addition to my expertise, I have other values in the dressing room and my positivity off the pitch" - Walker said at the time before moving to AC Milan.
The 25-year-old is now at Turf Moor, where he will reunite with Burnley manager Scott Parker. Parker was Walker's teammate at Tottenham from 2011 to 2013. The deal could be completed by the weekend.
Walker's arrival will give Burnley much-needed experience, which they lacked in their last Premier League appearance. At that time, coach Vincent Kompany only focused on signing young players with high potential. This plan was ineffective and they immediately had to return to the Championship, with Kompany becoming the captain of Bayern Munich.
Parker revived the team, leading Burnley to second place and a place in the Premier League. Parker's side are known for their extremely strong and impressive defence, conceding just 16 goals in 46 games last season.
During his 8 years with Man City, Walker has won a total of 17 major and minor titles, including 6 Premier League titles and a Champions League title in the historic treble of the 2022-2023 season.
The English defender will become Burnley's fifth signing this summer, after Max Weiss, Quilindschy Hartman, Axel Tuanzebe and Loum Tchouana. The loan deals of Bashir Humphreys, Marcus Edwards, Zian Flemming and Jaidon Anthony were also broken by Burnley.
