As the summer transfer window heats up, Manchester City is faced with the possibility of saying goodbye to another key player. While Ilkay Gundogan has already left, the futures of Bernardo Silva, Riyad Mahrez, Aymeric Laporte, Joao Cancelo, and especially Kyle Walker remain uncertain.

Walker, in particular, appears to be on the verge of leaving after a successful six-year stint with the club. His departure would signal the end of an era at Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

Walker’s Frustrations and Changing Role: Last season, Walker faced frustrations after losing his place in the squad when Guardiola opted for a full-back center-back system.

Despite fighting his way back into the starting lineup early in the season, he was surprisingly absent from the team in the Champions League final. While delighted with the victory, Walker couldn’t hide his disappointment at being named on the bench. The 33-year-old defender’s exit would mark the end of an influential era at City.

Guardiola’s Evolving Team: Walker’s arrival at City in 2017 signaled a turning point for the team under Guardiola’s management. His signing provided the much-needed upgrade at full-back and played a vital role in City’s period of dominance.

Despite skepticism surrounding the hefty £50 million price tag, Walker proved his worth time and again. Guardiola’s subsequent investment in full-backs, totaling £130 million that summer alone, demonstrates the importance of the position in the team’s evolution.

Potential Replacements and System Adjustments: If Walker does leave, Guardiola may not rush to find an immediate replacement. With Josko Gvardiol as the top target to partner Ruben Dias in the center-back position, it would free up John Stones to permanently take on the right-back role.

Stones has shown versatility by seamlessly moving into midfield during matches. However, Guardiola must consider bringing in another full-back, especially if Cancelo, who is expected to leave, departs as well.

The Importance of Flexibility: City found success with their new system in late February, which helped the team click after a somewhat uneven start to the campaign. However, if opposing managers find a way to neutralize the system, Guardiola may need to adapt once again.

In such a scenario, having the flexibility of natural full-backs becomes crucial, especially if Guardiola decides to revert to a traditional back-four. Losing both Cancelo and Walker without adequate replacements would limit this option.

Considerations in the Transfer Market: City has already faced challenges in replacing players like Gundogan, missing out on targets such as Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice. If Walker departs, the club will face yet another dilemma regarding whether to stick with the current squad or seek new options in the market.