Joe Hart is reportedly set to leave Manchester City during this transfer window, with it being said that club’s new manager Pep Guardiola isn’t struck on the English goalkeeper.
Hart was benched for Man City’s 2-1 victory over Sunderland last Saturday, with many seeing this as a sign that Guardiola was on the market for someone to replace him. According to Sky Sports reporter Vinny O’Connor, that replacement is coming sooner rather than later.
O’Connor said: “We understand Joe Hart is going to assess his options that are open to him over the next couple of weeks.”
According to O’Connor, Hart has received interest from both Sevilla and Everton, though the 29-year-old would prefer to remain in the Premier League. Despite Everton having recently acquired Maarten Stekelenburg from Fulham, it is believed that the Merseyside club are looking for a number one with more experience, a quality that Hart undoubtedly possesses.
Hart joined Manchester City in 2006, though spent most of his formative years on loan to Birmingham City, Blackpool and Tranmere Rovers. However, he eventually became a staple of City’s first-team squad and one of the most recognisable and well-respected goalkeepers in the Premier League. Guardiola’s reported decision to replace him may come as a result of Hart’s poor performance during the Euro 2016 tournament, with him committing a few costly blunders that ultimately contributed to England crashing out of the competition in the first knock-out round.
There has been no official comment from Manchester City in regards to Hart’s status with the club, though considering the summer transfer window closes on August 31, expect to hear more news sooner rather than later.
