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This video can not be played Walker has asked to 'explore options' to play abroad - Guardiola Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says he will not stand in Kyle Walker's way if the England defender decides to quit the club during this month's transfer window. Walker was left out of the City squad for their 8-0 FA Cup third-round victory over League Two Salford even though Guardiola had only two recognised defenders in his starting line-up. The 34-year-old England international still has 18 months left on his contract. However, Guardiola said the City skipper went to see director of football Txiki Begiristain on Thursday to explain his desire to look at an exit. "Two days ago Kyle asked to explore the options to play abroad, " said Guardiola. "We cannot understand [what] the club did these years without Kyle. It's impossible. He's been our right-back, giving us something we didn't have. But now in his mind, for many reasons, he would like to explore if he can go to another country to play his last years. " Asked if Walker would be granted his wish if he said he wanted to leave, Guardiola said: "Of course. "It doesn't mean it's going to happen because you never know the situation. But I am pretty convinced there's no-one in our job that doesn't want to be there who can perform and be exactly what they want to be. " Guardiola added Walker had initially asked to leave City in the wake of their historic Treble success in 2023. Guardiola said German giants Bayern Munich had told Walker they wanted to sign him but had failed to match the fee City demanded. It is unlikely there will be a similar problem this time around as Guardiola is already committed to refreshing a squad that has struggled badly during the first half of the season. City have already agreed a £33. 6m deal with French club Lens for Uzbekistan international defender Abdukodir Khusanov. They are also in negotiations with Brazilian side Palmeiras for teenage defender Vitor Reis and are keen on Eintracht Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush. Latest Manchester City news, analysis and fan views Get Manchester City news sent straight to your phone Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Australia take second England wicket in Ashes opener NFL's Wildcard Weekend: Can Chargers mount fourth-quarter comeback at Texans? GB's Kartal in action on day one - Australian Open scores & order of play Dragons’ Den returns with a new line-up of celebrity guests Can a fresh batch of entrepreneurs secure the deal of a lifetime? Are humans the only animals that laugh? Marnie Chesterton delves into the science of laughter, live from the Hay Festival Winter Weekend A raucous 80s throwback horror comedy Three teens go on an epic quest for a cult VHS collection, only to get mixed up in a murder Hugh Bonneville narrates Sherlock Holmes’ greatest cases Fresh, atmospheric adaptations of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic crime mysteries Should this have stood? - Villa score controversial equaliser. Video Should this have stood? - Villa score controversial equaliser Five Australian Open storylines to watch out for England's decade-long quest to bring Women's Ashes home 'My goodness! ' Vata scores 'special' equaliser for Watford. Video'My goodness! ' Vata scores 'special' equaliser for Watford Ryan Giggs - what happened? World Sports Photography Awards 2025 winner revealed The qualifier using the Australian Open as 'fashion runway' Was Deschamps right to leave and will Zidane replace him? Is Potter the right fit for West Ham? Fantasy holes with lava fields - it's golf for the 21st Century How the man who signed Henry, Bale and Suarez is reshaping Toulouse Can Djokovic win record 25th Grand Slam aged 37? 'Epic moment! ' - 355lb Pierce interception tops NFL best plays. Video'Epic moment! ' - 355lb Pierce interception tops NFL best plays Teenage kicks - what makes history-making Littler so good? Sporting highlights to look forward to in 2025 © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.