Manchester City are reportedly already planning for life after Kyle Walker, actively scouting potential long-term replacements for the veteran right-back.
At 34, Walker is entering the twilight of his top-flight career, and some fans and analysts have noticed a slight dip in his performance levels this season under Pep Guardiola. Guardiola has hinted that Walker’s fitness challenges have limited him to just a few complete training sessions this season, impacting his sharpness on the field.
Walker’s struggles have increased the responsibility on 19-year-old Rico Lewis, who has shown promise but is also feeling the effects of fatigue from regular play. With Walker aging and facing potential offers from Saudi clubs, City is now linked to a few promising right-backs as potential successors.
Graeme Bailey from TBR Football reports that Manchester City have shown interest in Espanyol’s Omar El Hilali, a 21-year-old who is also attracting attention from Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion. The Moroccan defender has established himself as a key player at Espanyol and has shown versatility across various positions in the back line—an appealing trait for Guardiola’s system.
City is also keeping an eye on Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong and AS Monaco’s Vanderson. Frimpong, who previously played in City’s youth academy before moving to Celtic for consistent first-team action, remains highly regarded within the club. Meanwhile, Vanderson, who joined Monaco from Gremio in a €11 million transfer in 2022, has grown his reputation significantly and could net Monaco a solid profit if sold.
City’s proactive approach signals their intent to ensure continuity in the right-back role, and as interest from other Premier League clubs intensifies, the upcoming transfer window could see a lively competition for Walker’s successor.
