Walker, who chose to wear Beckham's old number 32 at Milan, revealed that the former United legend sent him a message after he made the switch. 'He messaged me, and I said, “I hope you don’t mind me taking your number.” He said, “No, it’s an honour; do it proud,”' Walker told GQ Magazine.

Now, on the Kyle Walker Podcast, he revealed that Beckham actually initiated contact. 'Wrong. Wrong...I didn’t send him a message,' he clarified. 'No. He messaged me, which was very nice. He messaged me. I had a few messages. He didn’t message me directly. He messaged me through Instagram. So the people that run the Instagram (account) told me and said, “We think you probably should reply to this message.”'

AC Milan have given Walker a new lease of life after he became a liability under Guardiola in the last 12-18 months with the Premier League side. Despite his performances, it is unlikely he will play any major role in the Diavolo’s remaining games this term after fracturing his elbow and may return to City desperately looking for a new club in the summer.