Pep Guardiola has signalled the end of 29 year-old Joe Hart’s Manchester City career.
The Spanish manager has made contact with former club Barcelona and is set to bring Chile’s goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, 33, to the Etihad. Guardiola would prefer to take Marc-Andre ter Stegen, 24, but the Catalans want upwards of €80m for the young German.
It’s understood that they will not stand in Bravo’s way should he express a desire to reunite with Guardiola at the Etihad.
Hart was unceremoniously dropped for the opening day win over Sunderland with no promises from Guardiola that he would be restored to the line-up for this week’s Champions League play-off with Steaua Bucharest.
New England boss Sam Allardyce was at the Etihad on Saturday and is understandably concerned that his first-choice goalkeeper is unable to force his way into his club side starting XI. It has cast doubt on whether Hart will remain England’s Number One, particularly after a disastrous Euro 2016 campaign.
Despite adding Maarten Stekelenburg, 33, during the summer, both Everton and Liverpool are keen on Hart, whom they believe could be snared for £15m.
They face stiff competition from Sevilla, winners of the Europa League for the last three years running, who can offer Hart a swift return to the Champions League. A move to La Liga may be the rehabilitation of his fortunes that the City goalkeeper needs.
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