Chelsea To Battle Manchester City For Kyle Walker
Reuters / Paul Childs
Chelsea and Manchester City are reportedly set to fight it out for the services of Tottenham full-back Kyle Walker.
Kyle Walker is wanted at Chelsea and Manchester City, as both Conte and Guardiola have come out as big admirers of the English defender. However, there are reports that it would take in excess of £40 million to land the Spurs star.
Although Victor Moses has had an impressive season with Chelsea, Antonio Conte is seeking to upgrade his right-back position with Walker, who is a natural right wing-back unlike Moses. The Italian manager is said to be very fond of the Spurs player, and would like to have more options at the aforementioned position.
Pep Guardiola has his own plans for Walker, as he looks to bolster his squad following a disappointing season with Manchester City. The former Barcelona manager sees Walker as the perfect replacement for the outgoing Pablo Zabaleta. Moreover, the Citizens are in dire need of English players in order to abide by the Premier League rules and restrictions.
In fact, City’s local arch-rivals Manchester United have also been linked with the right-back, along with his teammates Eric Dier and Danny Rose, in a reported £110m ‘triple raid’.
Mauricio Pochettino’s recent favoritism of Trippier over Walker, coupled with the stadium situation, might force Spurs to sell Walker, who seems to have fallen out with his manager.
In order to facilitate the move, the two English heavyweights, Chelsea and Manchester City, are ready to double the £70,000-a-week wages of Walker to get him to sign for them.
Both clubs are yet to make an official bid for the England international, but they have certainly set things in motion to sign the sought-after fullback this summer.
Written by Shorya Panwar 
Has 20+ years of experience managing Schalke in Football Manager 2017. Believes wing-backs are the most complete footballers in the modern/evolved football. Writes weird stuff on his personal blog.