Build Eze a statue! Palace win FA Cup & first ever trophy

Marmoush miss costs City as KDB's big day is ruined

Héctor Bellerín: How could I dance at a funeral?

What makes treble-chasing Bompastor so special?

Why Man Utd captain Le Tissier deserves more England chances

Editors' Picks

WATCH: Son's priceless reaction as he's asked if he's better than Salah

How to buy Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona Copa del Rey tickets

Scotland World Cup 2026 qualifying: Group, fixtures & results 

Santos Laguna vs Monterrey: Stream, TV & where to watch

Where to watch Ronaldo's Al-Nassr games: Stream & TV info

How to buy Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad Copa del Rey tickets

Where to watch & stream live MLS games

Man Utd live stream and TV channel broadcast info

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Walker has been 'average' in Serie A</li><li>Milan decide against signing him permanently</li><li>Spent six months on loan in Italy</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Revealed: Why AC Milan have opted against signing 'average' Kyle Walker as right-back prepares for Manchester City return

Serie A

Roma

AC Milan

Premier League

Manchester City

Bournemouth

<p><a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/kyle-walker-man-city-return-ac-milan-declining-chance-sign-defender/blt95853ad183f24db7#csbc7c07457f2f0a15" target="_blank">Milan have reportedly taken the decision to allow Walker to return to City this summer</a>, instead of exercising their £4 million ($5m) option to sign the right-back permanently. Daniele Fisichella, an Italian football expert, has explained that "average" performances and the club's failure to qualify for the Champions League have impacted their recruitment plans. </p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Milan are eighth in Serie A and lost the Coppa Italia final 1-0 to Bologna in midweek. As a result, the prospect of European qualification is all but dead, and Walker, as a result, is likely to head back to Manchester.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Fisichella told <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-FriD12YdM&amp;t=59s" target="_blank">talkSPORT</a>: "With Kyle Walker staying at Milan, it was always dependent on Milan securing European football. Now Champions League football is out of the way. After yesterday's result, even Europa League football seems very, very unlikely. Therefore, I can understand why the club has taken this decision." </p><p>He added, on Walker's wages: "Those 5 million euros would make him the second biggest earner in Milan's book, just behind Rafael Leo. And as I said before with Milan not playing not playing in Europe next season this is difficult for them to sign a 35 year old. </p><p>"The numbers of Walker this season have been average at best zero goals, zero assist for Milan also for Manchester City to be fair. When you look at the stats in Serie A, in terms of tackles, duels won, passes in the final third, he's not among the top 20 defenders in Italy. He's not been bad, I don't remember him making any big mistakes or causing Milan any trouble that they didn't have anyway. When he's started, Milan have only kept three clean sheets. </p><p>"So he's been average at best. The perception is that he's a player with a a lot of experience but of course he has lost the physical dominance, lost the pace, that made him excel in the Premier League for a long time."</p>

WHAT DANIELE FISICHELLA SAID

<p>Milan play Roma and Monza in their final two Serie A fixtures of the season. Their campaign has been a disaster, and Walker is unlikely to be sticking around. </p>

WHAT NEXT?

Revealed: Why AC Milan have opted against signing 'average' Kyle Walker as right-back prepares for Manchester City return | Goal.com

AC Milan have seemingly opted against signing Kyle Walker, with an Italian football expert revealing their reasoning. 

Revealed: Why AC Milan have opted against signing &apos;average&apos; Kyle Walker as right-back prepares for Manchester City return

Next matches