Manchester City’s summer spending spree is set to continue with the signing of Kyle Walker from Tottenham Hotspur.Various reports insist the Citizens have agreed a £50m deal to sign the right-back, who has been angling for a move from Spurs for some time.The 27-year-old will become Pep Guardiola’s third signing of the summer following the arrivals of Bernardo Silva and Ederson Moraes.The Man City boss has prioritised signing full-backs, with Gael Clichy, Bacary Sagna and Pablo Zabaleta all being released, and Walker will slot in nicely on the right.The England international is coming off a fine season in which he was involved in the Premier League’s best defence and was named in the Professional Footballers’ Association team of the year.If Guardiola can secure his preferred target at left-back, AS Monaco’s Benjamin Mendy, then City’s defence will be in good shape heading into the new season.City were interested in signing Dani Alves but the Brazilian defender opted to join Paris Saint-Germain.
It means City have been forced to fork out £50m when Alves would have cost them nothing, not that £50m is much concern to those at the Etihad.
Walker’s fee will surprise many but it’s a reflection of the inflated market. Sunderland got £30m for Jordan Pickford, Swansea City have rejected a £40m bid for Gylfi Sigurdsson; nobody should be surprised that City are paying £50m for Walker, one of the best right-backs in England.
Gary Neville appears to be, though.
Gary Neville reacts
The Manchester United legend reacted to Sky Sports’ tweet about Man City agreeing a fee for Walker with one word: “Wow!!”
Neville had earlier sent the same tweet after Swansea rejected Everton’s £40m offer for Sigurdsson.
Neville’s surprise at Walker’s price tag is a popular opinion among football fans, as evidenced by some tweets.
Fans can't believe Walker's price tag
Trippier is a worthy replacement
It’s a good deal for both clubs. Man City get their right-back, Tottenham get the additional funds they need to reinvest in the squad.
Indeed, Kieran Trippier’s performances towards the end of last season will be enough to convince Mauricio Pochettino that the 26-year-old will be a worthy replacement in the starting line-up.
So Walker, who received a 7.20 rating from WhoScored for his performances in the league last season, will become the most expensive English player in history.
He will also become the joint most-expensive defender of all time, with David Luiz costing PSG £50m in 2014.
