In a surprising twist to the summer transfer window, veteran full-back Kyle Walker is set to leave Manchester City and join Premier League rivals Everton. The 34-year-old England international, who has enjoyed a trophy-laden spell at the Etihad, is poised to start a new chapter in his career at Goodison Park, with reports suggesting that personal terms have been agreed and a medical is imminent.
Walker’s departure from Manchester City marks the end of an era. Signed in 2017 from Tottenham Hotspur for a fee believed to be around £50 million, Walker quickly established himself as a vital component of Pep Guardiola’s tactical system. His pace, physicality, and positional intelligence allowed him to perform as a traditional right-back, a right-sided center-back in a back three, and even as an inverted full-back in Guardiola’s more experimental phases.
However, despite maintaining an impressive level of fitness and consistency over the years, Walker gradually saw his role diminish during the 2023/24 season. With the rise of younger options like Rico Lewis and the tactical shift in Guardiola’s system, Walker found himself on the fringes of the first team. Although he remained club captain and still featured in important matches, it became clear that his days as an automatic starter were numbered.
Everton, under manager Sean Dyche, have moved swiftly to secure Walker’s signature in what is being viewed as a major statement of intent. The Toffees narrowly avoided relegation last season and are now keen to bolster their squad with experienced professionals capable of steadying the ship. In Walker, they are acquiring not only a player with over 80 international caps and five Premier League titles but also a seasoned leader with Champions League pedigree.
For Dyche, the move is tactical as much as it is symbolic. Everton have struggled for defensive consistency, and the addition of a veteran like Walker will bring much-needed stability and versatility. His leadership in the dressing room could also prove invaluable, especially for younger players like Jarrad Branthwaite and Nathan Patterson, who will benefit from having a proven winner in the squad.
From Walker’s perspective, the move represents a fresh challenge and a chance to play regularly again. Though undoubtedly a step down in terms of club stature, joining Everton offers him the opportunity to extend his Premier League career in a competitive environment. With Euro 2028 on the horizon and Walker still harboring international ambitions, regular game time could help keep him in the England conversation, especially if he performs at a high level.
Financial details of the deal have not been fully disclosed, but sources suggest it is a short-term contract with the option to extend, and Walker has agreed to a significant wage reduction to facilitate the move. His decision is said to be motivated by a desire to stay in the Premier League and continue playing at the highest level rather than seek lucrative offers abroad.
Fan reactions have been mixed. Manchester City supporters have expressed gratitude for Walker’s contributions, with many hailing him as one of the club’s best ever right-backs. Everton fans, meanwhile, are cautiously optimistic. While some have raised concerns about the player’s age and wage demands, others believe Walker’s pedigree could make a real difference in a squad that often lacks experience and composure under pressure.
Off the pitch, Walker’s arrival could also help rebuild Everton’s image. Following recent points deductions due to financial breaches and uncertainty over potential ownership changes, the club is in desperate need of stability. Signing a player of Walker’s caliber sends a message that Everton remain an attractive destination for top professionals and are serious about climbing back up the Premier League ladder.
In the grander scheme, this transfer also highlights the evolving dynamics of the Premier League. Where once a player moving from Manchester City to Everton might have seemed implausible, shifting squad priorities, player ambitions, and financial pragmatism are increasingly shaping such moves. For Walker, it’s a calculated risk; for Everton, it could be a masterstroke.
As the deal nears completion, all eyes will be on how quickly Walker can integrate into Dyche’s system and whether he can still perform at the elite level he has maintained for much of his career. Should he succeed, this move could prove to be one of the smartest bits of business of the summer window—and just the lift Everton nee
d to turn the corner.
