Manchester City Transfer News: Kyle Walker Talks with Tottenham Rumoured

Manchester City are reportedly "set to begin talks" with Tottenham Hotspur regarding the transfer of England right-back Kyle Walker, who has been linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium. 

Lyall Thomas of Sky Sports reported City's move for the 27-year-old "could come as early as this week," with the Citizens understood to be seeking a move for as close to £40 million as they can.

Club veteran Pablo Zabaleta left City when his contract expired at the end of May, and manager Pep Guardiola appears to have his eyes set on Walker as a replacement.

While all signs suggest negotiations are moving along quickly, it's worth taking into account the fact Walker only penned a new five-year contract with Spurs in September, meaning his club won't be forced to cash in.

But City may therefore have to wait a bit longer in order to complete their Walker pursuit, as Thomas mentioned Tottenham value Walker closer to £50 million.

That being said, after running to fourth in the Premier League last season and finishing without silverware, Guardiola's City aren't wasting time in their efforts to renovate the squad, as noted by football writer Samuel Jay C:

Kieran Trippier's rise into Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino's starting XI toward the end of last season threw major doubt on Walker's place in the squad but also alleviated the pressure on the team to find a successor.

What's more, Walker's social media activity recently raised a few eyebrows after he was interpreted to have said his last goodbye to Spurs when they played their last fixture at White Hart Lane last month, via Squawka:

The arrivals of goalkeeper Ederson and midfield maestro Bernardo Silva, from Benfica and AS Monaco, respectively, have already pushed City's summer spending sky high, but their strive for perfection means it isn't finished yet.

Walker's arrival would be arguably the move most valuable to the teams so far after both Zabaleta and Bacary Sagna left the club, but the question now is how much Guardiola's side are willing to pay to get a deal across the line.