AC Milan official Zlatan Ibrahimovic has confirmed that the club is working on a deal Sign Kyle Walker from reigning Premier League champions Manchester City.
Walker has informed City manager Pep Guardiola of his desire to leave the club this month and has already given his consent to a move to Milan, who sent their first official offer to the Premier League champions earlier this week.
Fabrizio Romano has revealed that clubs are discussing an initial loan deal for Walker, with Milan negotiating the option of making the move permanent in the summer.
Ibrahimovic, who enjoyed a legendary playing career at the highest level and now works as a senior advisor at former club Milan, confirmed the Rossoneri’s interest in completing a contract.
“Everyone knows Walker is a great player, he did great things at City,” said the Swede DAZN. “When someone like him is on the market, there is a lot of interest.
“It doesn’t contradict our vision because he is strong, he is a leader, he has dominance in the locker room. Now we’re checking whether it’s possible.”
A final round of talks between Milan and City are expected to take place in the coming hours, with Walker’s move to the fashion capital of the world expected to be officially announced next week.
Walker’s departure will leave a gaping hole in City’s defense, which has been decimated by injuries this season. Ruben Dias, John Stones, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake have all spent various periods on the sidelines and their respective absences have seen City’s Premier League title defense fall apart.
Lens’ Abdukodir Khusanov is apparently on his way to the Etihad Stadium to fill the void – a move that will cost City £33.6m – and a deal for Palmeiras’ Vitor Reis worth just under £30m is also imminent before graduation.