Manchester City confirmed the signing of right-back Kyle Walker from Tottenham Hotspur, for £50million (BBC). It is a fee that could make him the most expensive English player ever, and former Spurs striker Gary Lineker took Twitter to mock the fee.
Walker put pen to paper on a five-year contract at City. The Mancunian club also confirmed that the England full-back will wear the number 2 shirt at the Etihad Stadium.
Former Tottenham star, Gary Lineker, fired shots at Kyle Walker after the right-back’s sale was confirmed. Lineker gave his take on the deal through Twitter.
Fullback, Kyle Walker becomes the world's most expensive defender at £50m plus. Imagine how much he would cost if he could cross the ball.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) July 14, 2017
The tongue-in-cheek remark, mocking the extortionate fee paid for the former Sheffield United man. Walker had been a mainstay in the Spurs side over the past few years. However, in the second half of last season, he faced strong competition from fellow Englishman Kieran Trippier.
In the end, Walker had to play a secondary role to Trippier, who has now signed a new contract at Tottenham. Mauricio Pochettino was waiting for that new deal to be signed before allowing the sale of Walker to take place.
The Argentine, though, likes to have strong back-up in all positions. Walker’s sale will mean that he actively pursues another right-back to push Trippier. The competition for places at Spurs has been one of the key reasons for our success. Everybody pushes each other.
The Walker-Trippier situation, was a prime example of that. Two players pushing each other for a place in the starting line-up. It also displayed how Pochettino was willing to select players on form, over reputation.
Manchester City had been pursuing Dani Alves. Pep Guardiola enjoyed great success with the Brazilian during their time together at Barcelona. However, Alves opted to sign for Ligue 1 side PSG, earlier this week, snubbing the Citizens. PSG are understood to have won the race because they offered higher wages. It was a blow for City to miss out on Alves, in what has been a productive summer transfer window for them so far.
We should be pleased with £50million for a man who was the back-up right-back towards the end of last season. It looks like a decent deal for all concerned.
Some might not think the loathsome Lineker is worth what he’s paid by the BBC. Walker will be paid by Manchester City, Lineker by you and I.
Well said Gary, I entirely agree. Walker also makes some stupid mistakes.