The London Evening Standard report that La Liga giants Barcelona are preparing a shock summer move for Tottenham’s Kyle Walker.
The right-back has impressed at Spurs this season, and has been a key figure for the Lilywhites for the majority of this season and past seasons, due to his outstanding efforts both offensively and defensively.
Walker has provided five assists in the Premier League this term, and has shown his adaptability, being able to switch from a wing-back role into a full-back role. We saw this change mid-game away at Manchester City.
Barcelona have been struggling this season in La Liga, and judging by their recent results, which includes a 4-0 humiliation at the hands of PSG in France, the Spanish giants are nowhere near where they want to be right now. Having said this, it is expected that Barcelona will dip into the transfer market this summer in search of reinforcements, with Walker on their wishlist.
Luis Enrique has struggled to find a replacement for Dani Alves, who left the club last summer in favour of a move to Italy and Juventus, and Walker might be seen as the perfect replacement for such a high quality right-back.
However, it will take a huge bid to tempt Spurs into selling up. Walker has four more years left on his current contract, and they will not let the Englishman leave White Hart Lane without a fight. Whether Walker himself wants to make the move remains to be seen.
Will Walker stay at Spurs this summer?
Personally, I think that Walker will continue to impress in the Premier League at Spurs beyond this season. One of his ambitions is to play Champions League football on a regular basis, and if Spurs manage to either win the Europa League or secure a place in the top four, then Walker will be able to experience playing in the Champions League once again at Spurs. This would significantly increase the chance of the full-back staying beyond the summer transfer window.
It will be hard to tempt Daniel Levy into selling such a key player, and you would think that the Premier League’s toughest negotiator would demand at least £30m-£40m to secure the services of Walker, if not more.
I cannot see this move happening. The player seems happy at Spurs, and with this great team that Mauricio Pochettino is building currently at Spurs, it is hard to see the right-back moving away from London in the summer.
