Joe Hart kept 15 clean sheets in the Premier League last season for Manchester City in 35 appearances. Only Arsenal’s Petr Cech (16) managed more than the England No 1
Joe Hart’s future has been left in limbo after Everton withdrew their interest in the out-of-favour Manchester City keeper.
With Barcelona keeper Claudio Bravo expected in Manchester this week ahead of a £17million move, Pep Guardiola has told Hart he is free to find a new club.
Everton had emerged as the most likely destination for the 29-year-old to stay in the Premier League, as Ronald Koeman was keen to sign another keeper before the transfer window closed.
Everton had held preliminary talks with City about a loan move for Hart, but further discussions yesterday ended with the Goodison Park club deciding against a deal for the England keeper.
It would have cost Everton around £7m to take Hart on loan for a season, when his £135,000 per week wages were taken into account, and they were not ready to commit to that kind of expenditure.
The other factor that shaped the decision was Maarten Stekelenburg’s impressive start to life at Everton. The club now believes the Holland international can fulfil the role of No 1 for this campaign, with Joel Robles to be his deputy.
There is no question, though, that Everton’s decision to retreat has left Hart in a difficult position, particularly as Sevilla — who were mooted as another potential destination — are pressing ahead with a move for Valencia keeper Diego Alves.
Hart now has only eight days left to find a new club.
He received a fillip of sorts yesterday when Sam Allardyce confirmed he would be selected for the opening World Cup qualifier against Slovakia.
But England’s new head coach admitted he was concerned about Hart’s situation.
‘That is the problem for any player you want to select for England — it’ll be a concern if that player doesn’t play for his team,’ said Allardyce.
‘You have to have doubts about that, but before I meet up with Joe I don’t know where he lies in that process at the moment.
‘When we pick the first squad and they meet up here there will be some lads who don’t play on a regular basis.
‘In the end, we select the players in the best form, that are fit and playing. But can we get in the England squad only those who play every week? Probably not now.
‘In terms of picking Joe, he will be in the squad definitely. What do we do? I don’t know that until I speak to Joe, and that will be the same with most players until they arrive.’
With Bravo heading to City to take over from Hart, Barcelona are set to sign another keeper.
The 33-year-old Chilean is due to be replaced by Jasper Cillessen from Ajax, though the Dutch club have complicated matters by asking Cillessen to travel to Rostov, with the possibility he could play in their Champions League qualifier tomorrow.
Barcelona have agreed a £12m fee for Cillessen and the player has a five year contract on the table — but Ajax want him to play against Rostov as a condition of the transfer.
Ajax have lined up Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul to replace Cillessen. He is set to sign a new contract with Newcastle before joining the Dutch club on loan.
Despite losing interest in Hart, Everton boss Koeman wants to make more signings before the window close.
But his attempts to bring Lyon forward Rachid Ghezzal to the club are proving difficult.
The club have been talking to the Algeria international for a fortnight but have yet to agree a deal. He has 12 months left on his contract.
Everton, who secured the long-term future of promising young midfielder Jonjoe Kenny yesterday when he signed a three-year deal, host Yeovil in the EFL Cup tonight. Koeman will give a first starts of the season to Romelu Lukaku, as well as new signings Ashley Williams and Yannick Bolasie.
Meanwhile, Manchester City striker Wilfried Bony is pondering a short term loan to West Ham, as reported in Sportsmail, with a move to China lined up for January. – Daily Mail