KYLE WALKER has been assured of his Manchester City future after a heart-to-heart with Pep Guardiola.
The England defender, 30, feared he was for the chop this summer as part of a defensive overhaul.
Man City boss Pep Guardiola has assured Kyle Walker he won’t be sold this summerCredit: PA:Press Association
City have already landed Bournemouth’s Nathan Ake in a £41million deal and are looking at other reinforcements.
Walker was worried after being reprimanded by City and blasted by fans for twice breaking lockdown restrictions.
He apologised for holding a party at his apartment and then visiting family in Sheffield.
Walker’s first breach came just days after he had urged fans to obey lockdown.
Man City have already signed Nathan Ake from BournemouthCredit: Getty Images – Getty
But SunSport understands the player and boss Walker and Guardiola have become close and bonded over the past few months during lockdown.
The right-back has been told his place in the starting XI is safe and there are no plans to replace him.
City have looked at bringing in another player in his position but only as back-up and to provide some competition for a place.
A source said: “Pep put his arm around Kyle during the lockdown. They have become very close.
“He has become a bit of a father figure to him throughout this whole period and they have bonded.”
Ex-Spurs star Walker has been in excellent form since the coronavirus restart as Guardiola looks to win the Champions League.
His side cruised past Real Madrid 4-2 on aggregate and face Lyon in the quarter-finals this Saturday.
Meanwhile, Real Betis are favourites to land Manchester City keeper Claudio Bravo when he leaves the Etihad later this month.
Former City boss Manuel Pellegrini has taken over at the Spanish club and is keen to land the Chilean number one, 37.
Bravo has spent the last four years in Manchester after Pep Guardiola signed him to replace long-serving Joe Hart.
But he lost his place after a tough first season as his club brought in Ederson to replace him in summer 2017.
Manchester City arrive in Lisbon for Champions League quarter finals without Sergio Agüero as striker looks set to miss competition
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
