With Kyle Walker, the count of English players in the squad will rise to four. England will become the most represented nationality in the team, alongside Tammy Abraham, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and Fikayo Tomori, provided the defender doesn't decide to wave his flag elsewhere.
In England, Kyle was born and developed his footballing career: if, as it seems, the deal is finalised in the coming days, Milan will be his first “foreign” club.
How much does Walker's transfer to Milan cost?
The 34-year-old will join AC Milan on loan for 1 million euros, with a purchase option set at 5 million euros for the summer.
At 34, while his pace as a full-back may have slightly diminished, Walker can effectively leverage his physicality and positional sense as a central defender. This versatility could pave the way for additional moves in the transfer market.
Should Malick Thiaw recover promptly and prove dependable, the departure of another defender currently in the squad cannot be ruled out.
What will Kyle Walker's contract with Milan be?
The purchase formula is being finalised: Walker will almost certainly join on a loan deal worth €1 million, with an option to buy set at €5 million, signing with the Rossoneri until 2027. It will be a six-month temporary transfer, akin to an internship, after which a decision will be made on a permanent move.
Not that Walker, considering his illustrious career, needs to prove his worth. Rather, the initial period will be used to evaluate his ability to adapt to a new league and a team still searching for its identity following a managerial change.
An agreement on the player's salary is also easily achievable: City guarantees Walker €6 million until the summer of 2026, and Milan can offer him the same figure with a contract running until 2027, spreading the amount over more years.
Negotiations based on these terms could be finalised soon. In the coming hours (his international experience and familiarity with top-level football have been key factors) Kyle’s desire to remain a protagonist in a top club has been convincing. Everyone agrees that an addition like this could help the team regain momentum and climb back to the top of the league standings.
After today’s match, which both sides are currently focused on, negotiations could move into their final phase. The finish line is near: the English flag is waving, writes La Gazzetta dello Sport.
