Zaschrona
Player Valuation: £10m
https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...eave-manchester-city-long-term-move-barcelona
Joe Hart is intent on leaving Manchester City before the transfer window closes if a move beneficial to his long-term career is on offer, otherwise the out-of-favour goalkeeper will stay at the club.
While a loan deal to Sevilla, who are interested in the England No1, would offer Champions League football, it is understood there is hesitation in the Hart camp as to whether this is a solution that would work only in the short term.
This does not mean it has been ruled out, as is the case for signing with a domestic club on a temporary basis, with Everton interested in him. Liverpool, though, do not want Hart, after Jürgen Klopp signed Lorius Karius, the 23-year-old German, at the start of the summer, with Simon Mignolet already at the club.
However, what is driving any decision is the determination to do what is best for Hart over the next few seasons, rather than the immediate future. There is a recognition that his options may be limited in the current window and so he would be prepared to stay at City until the January window, at the earliest, and reassess his options then.
The 29-year-old has been aware of Pep Guardiola’s lack of confidence in him throughout the summer. This meant the head coach’s decision to drop him for game against Sunderland in the season opener on Saturday and the victory against Steaua Bucharest in the Champions League on Tuesday night came as no surprise to Hart.
Guardiola has been intent on recruiting an alternative to the keeper virtually since the Catalan was announced as Manuel Pellegrini’s replacement on 1 February. This suggests Hart may find it particularly difficult to reclaim his starting berth unless Guardiola has a major change of heart or he finds it impossible to sign a replacement.
City are pursuing Barcelona’s Claudio Bravo but with Marc-André ter Stegen injured may be reluctant to allow his sale before buying a replacement.
Luis Enrique’s team begin the defence of their La Liga title on Saturday and the coach is keen to ensure he has a second goalkeeper in place. The Barcelona coach said this week: “I understand the rumour mill is attractive but I don’t want to and mustn’t get involved in all that.
“I think, though I could be wrong, that some players are going to come in and I think that also some are going to leave. What interests me is the final of the Super Cup [on Wednesday night], gaining a title which is attractive for us.”
Ter Stegen remains Guardiola’s first choice as he is closer to the style of Manuel Neuer as a sweeper-keeper – which allows him to play out from the back with his feet – that the manager desires. However, Barcelona are not willing to sell Ter Stegen, who has been the Champions League goalkeeper for the past two seasons. He is 24 and considered the better long-term option. Bravo is 33 and so Barcelona are willing to countenance his sale.
Joe Hart is intent on leaving Manchester City before the transfer window closes if a move beneficial to his long-term career is on offer, otherwise the out-of-favour goalkeeper will stay at the club.
While a loan deal to Sevilla, who are interested in the England No1, would offer Champions League football, it is understood there is hesitation in the Hart camp as to whether this is a solution that would work only in the short term.
This does not mean it has been ruled out, as is the case for signing with a domestic club on a temporary basis, with Everton interested in him. Liverpool, though, do not want Hart, after Jürgen Klopp signed Lorius Karius, the 23-year-old German, at the start of the summer, with Simon Mignolet already at the club.
However, what is driving any decision is the determination to do what is best for Hart over the next few seasons, rather than the immediate future. There is a recognition that his options may be limited in the current window and so he would be prepared to stay at City until the January window, at the earliest, and reassess his options then.
The 29-year-old has been aware of Pep Guardiola’s lack of confidence in him throughout the summer. This meant the head coach’s decision to drop him for game against Sunderland in the season opener on Saturday and the victory against Steaua Bucharest in the Champions League on Tuesday night came as no surprise to Hart.
Guardiola has been intent on recruiting an alternative to the keeper virtually since the Catalan was announced as Manuel Pellegrini’s replacement on 1 February. This suggests Hart may find it particularly difficult to reclaim his starting berth unless Guardiola has a major change of heart or he finds it impossible to sign a replacement.
City are pursuing Barcelona’s Claudio Bravo but with Marc-André ter Stegen injured may be reluctant to allow his sale before buying a replacement.
Luis Enrique’s team begin the defence of their La Liga title on Saturday and the coach is keen to ensure he has a second goalkeeper in place. The Barcelona coach said this week: “I understand the rumour mill is attractive but I don’t want to and mustn’t get involved in all that.
“I think, though I could be wrong, that some players are going to come in and I think that also some are going to leave. What interests me is the final of the Super Cup [on Wednesday night], gaining a title which is attractive for us.”
Ter Stegen remains Guardiola’s first choice as he is closer to the style of Manuel Neuer as a sweeper-keeper – which allows him to play out from the back with his feet – that the manager desires. However, Barcelona are not willing to sell Ter Stegen, who has been the Champions League goalkeeper for the past two seasons. He is 24 and considered the better long-term option. Bravo is 33 and so Barcelona are willing to countenance his sale.
