Joe Hart's future: Everton rule out move with time running out for Manchester City outcast

Posted Friday, August 26, 2016 by Express.co.uk

Joe Hart's future: Everton rule out move with time running out for Manchester City outcast
Joe Hart's future still hasn't been resolved

JOE HART'S future remained up in the air last night as Claudio Bravo completed his £13.75m move to Manchester City.

City are understood to be willing to subsidise a large chunk of Hart's £90,000-a-week wages in a bid to secure a loan deal after Everton manager Ronald Koeman ruled out a move for the England No 1.

It leaves Hart with only six days only to find a new club before the transfer window closes.

Sunderland – who have an injury worry over Vito Mannone – could be an option but Hart, 29, it is understood to be prepared to wait until the last minute on deadline day to see what, if any, offers come in.

Sources close to the player say the weekend Premier League programme may result in injuries that could open an unexpected door for Hart – or an offer could emerge from Europe.

But with Bravo now installed as Pep Guardiola's No 1 goalkeeper, City do not want Hart hanging around while the player himself wants regular football to secure his England status.

As the clock ticks down, however, there is the possibility Hart might have to stay at the Etihad until January.

City defender John Stones praised Hart for the professionalism he has shown throughout the saga and was delighted his England colleague got the chance to play against Steaua Bucharest on Wednesday night – which could turn out to be his farewell game.

Stones said: "Joe's the ultimate professional. He's come in and worked hard. I wouldn't expect anything less form Joe. He's a top, top professional and he's also a top guy off the field as well.

"It was good to see him play again. He's been working hard as everyone has and he deserved his chance to play. I've played with him a few times and it just seems to click, it was good to play with him again. It was good the fans showed their appreciation of him."

Bravo has become the second most expensive goalkeeping import in the Premier League following David De Gea's £18m move to Manchester United in 2011.

City have paid Barcelona £13.75m – with £2.5m in adds on depending on Champions League success.

After signing a four-year contract that is worth around £120,000-a week – double what he was earning at the Nou Camp – Bravo said the chance to work under Guardiola was irresistible and vowed to help them win trophies.

He said: "It is not easy to leave a club like Barcelona where I had two fantastic years, but the opportunity to work with Pep Guardiola was too good to refuse.

"I'm very proud to be joining Manchester City. I know the club is building something very special and I hope I can be part of many successes in the coming years.

"I have followed City's progress in recent years and obviously know some of my new team-mates from the Copa America.

"Now I will challenge the other great goalkeepers the Club has and together I hope we can win many trophies. "

Guardiola is set to throw Bravo, 33, straight in for his debut against West Ham at the Etihad on Sunday.

He said: "Claudio is a fantastic goalkeeper and an excellent addition to our squad.

"He has experience and great leadership qualities and is in the prime of his life. He is a goalkeeper I have admired for a number of years and I'm really happy he is now a City player."

Bravo, who started his career at Colo Colo in his native Chile before moving to Spain to join Real Sociedad, won back-to-back La Liga titles in his two seasons with Barca and successive Copa America triumphs with Chile with whom he has won 106 caps – the first Chilean to top a century.

He will feel immediately at home at City because their goalkeeping coach, Xabier Mancisidor, played a big part in Bravo's development as a top keeper at Sociedad.