Pep Guardiola reveals Kyle Walker has asked to LEAVE Man City with England defender set for £400K-A-WEEK Saudi transfer

PEP GUARDIOLA revealed Kyle Walker was left out of their FA Cup drubbing of Salford because he wants to QUIT the Etihad.

The Manchester City boss initially said the reason for skipper Walker’s absence was tactical.

But after the 8-0 win Pep admitted it is because the right-back hopes for a fresh start abroad.

Walker – who has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia on a £400,000-a-week deal - has won six Prem titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups and the Champions League since joining in a £50million deal from Spurs in 2017.

But he has struggled for form this season and was expected to make a confident-boosting return against the Division Two side.

Guardiola said: “Two days ago Kyle asked to explore the option to play abroad.

"He asked after the treble, when Bayern (Munich) wanted him but the offer was not good enough.

“He went to (director of football) Txiki (Begiristain) of course, and I prefer to play other players whose mind is here.

“Maybe I'm wrong but I still am pretty convinced that there's no-one in our job that doesn't want to be where they are who can perform.

“Kyle asked to explore, but it doesn't mean it's going to happen because you never know.

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"He has been our right back and given us something we haven’t had.

“He’s been amazing but now in his mind he would like to go to another country and play for other reasons.”

Walker's request comes after SunSport exclusively revealed wife Annie Kliner is scrapping her £27million divorce bid.

An insider said: “It was just a few months ago that Annie served Kyle with divorce papers, but she’s having second thoughts.

“He’s a top target for the Saudi Arabia clubs and if he decides to take a deal it’ll be life-changing — and not just because of the massive amount of money he’ll be making.”

Walker is now back in the marital home, those close to Annie said.

They added: “Annie is no fool. She sought legal advice about the finances last year and knows that the deal in Saudi is worth a lot.

“Annie says it’s not about the cash but keeping their family together, yet his earning potential is something she will have thought about.

“She is savvy and has been mapping out a plan for a long time.

“Annie always puts the children first but she has to think about herself too.

"And financially she wants to know she would be secure whatever happens between them.

“Kyle has assured her that whatever happens, she would have the financial support.”