Joe Hart is intent on leaving Manchester City before the transfer window closes if a move beneficial to his 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 provide him with Champions League football, it is understood there is hesitation in the Hart camp as to whether that is only a short-term solution.
This does not mean it has been ruled out, as is the case for signing with another Premier League club on a temporary basis, with Everton interested in him. Liverpool, though, do not want Hart after Jürgen Klopp signed Lorius Karius, a 23-year-old German, at the start of the summer, with Belgium’s Simon Mignolet already at the club.
However, what is driving Hart’s decision is the determination to do what is best forhim 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 January and reassess the 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 the game against Sunderland on Saturday and the play-off first leg against Steaua Bucharest in the Champions League on Tuesday night came as no surprise to Hart.
Guardiola has been intent on recruiting an alternative virtually since he was announced as Manuel Pellegrini’s replacement on 1 February. This suggests Hart may find it particularly difficult to reclaim his starting place unless the Catalan 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 they 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 he is keen to ensure he has a second goalkeeper in place. The Barcelona coach said this week, in the build-up to Wednesday night’s Super Cup second leg againsgt Sevilla: “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, gaining a title which is attractive for us.” Ter Stegen remains Guardiola’s first choice as he is similar in style to Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer as a sweeper-keeper – which sees him playing out from the back with his feet.
However, Barcelona are not willing to sell Ter Stegen, who has been their Champions League goalkeeper for the past two seasons. The German international is 24 and considered the better long-term option. Bravo is 33 and thus Barça are willing to countenance his sale.
