Hart could stay as third-choice goalkeeper at Man City

Matt Stead

Reports suggest Joe Hart is willing to bide his time at Manchester City, even if he is relegated to third-choice goalkeeper.

Hart has been cast aside by Pep Guardiola, who has identified that the England stopper lacks the required skill set to be a number one in his City team.

The new boss prefers a goalkeeper who is more comfortable in possession of the ball and the Spaniard has preferred Willy Caballero to Hart in City’s opening Premier League and Champions League matches.

City are closing in on the signing of Claudio Bravo from Barcelona, which would relegate to Hart to the status of third-choice keeper.

Guardiola has said that he would not stand in Hart’s way should he decide to quit City but, according to The Guardian, the 29-year-old is prepared to stick around at the Etihad because he is yet to receive a satisfactory offer.

Jamie Jackson reports:

“Despite facing the prospect of being third choice at City behind Willy Caballero and Claudio Bravo, if the Chilean signs from Barcelona as expected, and therefore not even being in match-day squads, there is currently no option for him to move which appeals to him.”

Everton were believed to be interested in taking Hart but the Daily Mail report the Toffees have backed off due to the £7million cost of taking the goalkeeper on loan for the season.

Hart understands that his inactivity may put his England place in danger, a prospect that was discussed by Sam Allardyce on Monday, but the Premier League title winner would prefer to take a long-term view towards deciding his next club.