Why Real Madrid Rejected Kyle Walker Despite Having the Chance to Sign Him
Kyle Walker’s move from Manchester City to AC Milan during the recent January transfer window caught the attention of many football fans. The English right-back, who had lost his starting spot under Pep Guardiola, signed with Milan until the end of the season, with the Italian club holding an option to buy him permanently.
Milan will need to pay €5 million to secure Walker’s services beyond this season. If they choose not to exercise this option, Manchester City will decide the player’s future in the summer.
A Quick Agreement with AC Milan
Walker’s move to Milan didn’t come as a surprise. The deal was practically sealed days before the official announcement. Manchester City was open to facilitating his departure, and Walker preferred to remain in Europe to continue competing at the highest level.
At Milan, despite having several options for the right-back position, none of the existing players had managed to impress consistently. This made the signing of Walker—a proven world-class right-back—a logical choice. Since his arrival, he has secured the starting spot on the right flank.
Why Didn’t Real Madrid Sign Him?
According to Fichajes.com, Walker was offered to Real Madrid, but the club decided against pursuing the transfer for two key reasons:
- The Arrival of Trent Alexander-Arnold in 2025/26:
Real Madrid is reportedly preparing for the signing of Trent Alexander-Arnold for the 2025/26 season. This long-term plan made it unnecessary to invest in another right-back, especially one considered a temporary solution. - Walker’s High Salary:
Despite being a quality player, Walker’s high wage demands were not aligned with Real Madrid’s financial strategy, particularly for a player who would serve as a short-term fix until the summer.
A Strategic Decision by Real Madrid
Instead of signing Walker, Real Madrid decided to rely on their current squad depth until the end of the season, trusting in their existing defensive options. The club remains focused on its long-term project, with the anticipated arrival of Alexander-Arnold seen as a key part of their future plans.
As a result, AC Milan became Walker’s new destination after Real Madrid rejected the opportunity to bring him to the Santiago Bernabéu.
