Man City hit with second transfer bombshell after Kyle Walker drama as Fabrizio Romano confirms news

Manchester City have been hit with a second transfer bombshell after Pep Guardiola confirmed captain Kyle Walker has asked to leave in the middle of the season.

Walker was not included in the squad for the 8-0 FA Cup third round hammering of Salford City on Saturday, with Guardiola questioned about his absence.

Speaking in his press conference, the Catalan revealed that the England international had "asked to explore the options to play abroad at the end of his career" and admitting he would "prefer playing other players whose mind is here".

The 34-year-old has been linked with a number of clubs, but it appears as though Serie A side AC Milan are the favourites to land him in the January transfer window.

But there are doubts over the future of a new City star, with James McAtee being chased by a whole host of clubs.

The 22-year-old returned to City in the summer after a loan with Sheffield United and has spent much of the season on the sidelines. But cameos against Leicester City and West Ham led to McAtee being afforded a start against Salford and he made the most of the opportunity by bagging a second half hat-trick.

In England, Fulham, Nottingham Forest, West Ham, and Brentford have all registered interest in the England Under 21 international.

But according to Fabrizio Romano, the Bundesliga is the most likely destination for McAtee, who is valued at around £25 million.

James McAtee scored a hat-trick for City on Saturday. Image: Getty

Champions Bayer Leverkusen, Mainz, RB Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund and Stuttgart have all enquired about the City academy product.

As per James Ducker of The Telegraph, McAtee favours a departure from City after growing frustrated with his lack of game-time. He could well be pushed further down the pecking order with the potential arrival of Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt.

Pep Guardiola demands more from McAtee

Despite his heroics on Saturday, Guardiola had a surprising assessment of McAtee's performance and said he can still improve. He did, however, still call McAtee "special" and "talented".

"I'm not denying how happy I am that he scored a hat-trick, it's not easy," Guardiola said.

"But he can play better. The first-half was not his best."

He added: "He’s a special, talented player. Generation of [Morgan] Rogers, [Cole] Palmer, [Liam] Delap, [Romeo] Lavia, [Jadon] Sancho. He was a main player there, the captain and a Man City fan."