Everton Move Agreed
Kyle Walker, the 35-year-old Manchester City and England right-back, has agreed a one-year deal with Everton, marking a significant twist in his long-stated desire to return to his boyhood club, Sheffield United, before retirement. According to reports from The Star and Sky Sports, discussions between Everton and Manchester City are ongoing to determine whether the transfer will be permanent or a 12-month loan, with Walker’s City contract set to expire in June 2026. The move follows his loan spell at AC Milan in the second half of the 2024-25 season, where he struggled to regain form, making only 12 Serie A appearances.
Sheffield United Ambitions Dashed
Walker, a Sheffield United academy product, has repeatedly expressed his wish to end his career with the Blades, where he made 35 appearances, including a loan return in 2009/10 after joining Tottenham for £9m alongside Kyle Naughton. On the You’ll Never Beat Kyle Walker podcast, he said, “I’d like to finish at Sheffield United… to give back or pass on my experience to younger players.” However, the transfer to Everton, coupled with interest from Fulham, Fenerbahçe, and Saudi clubs, makes a Blades return increasingly unlikely. Sheffield United’s manager Chris Wilder, speaking earlier in 2025, acknowledged Walker’s love for the club but noted his detour to Milan, saying, “We’ll still be there when he fancies that opportunity.”
Career Highlights and Motivation
Walker’s career includes six Premier League titles, a Champions League, and 96 England caps, with a goal to reach 100 appearances. His £50m move from Tottenham to Manchester City in 2017 cemented his status, amassing over 300 appearances. Despite a lackluster Milan loan (0.2 tackles per game, 78% pass accuracy), Walker believes regular play under Everton’s David Moyes will keep him in England contention, per The Sun. Fulham’s inquiry was rebuffed due to his £150,000-weekly wage demands, which Everton are addressing through a potential loan structure.
What’s Next?
Walker, currently on holiday in New York before heading to Jamaica, is expected to join Everton’s pre-season training by early July, ahead of their move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium. The Toffees, who finished 13th in 2024/25 under Moyes, also target Fulham’s Kenny Tete and Southampton’s Kyle Walker-Peters as right-back options, per The Guardian. Sheffield United, amid uncertainty over Wilder’s future, miss out on their academy star, with fans on X expressing disappointment but pride in Walker’s achievements. Everton’s talks with City, backed by Moyes’ approval, per Fabrizio Romano, aim to finalize the deal before the Premier League season starts on August 16, 2025.
