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City Target Claudio Bravo Expected In Manchester

Guardiola confirmed Bravo’s imminent arrival when asked about him at a news conference on Tuesday, saying: “I can not deny what everyone knows”.

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Pep Guardiola has said he “cannot deny” that Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo is close to a move to Manchester City but refused to discuss the player until the transfer is complete.

“We have had a short time together and in spells in our last three games my players have shown me how intelligent they are”, Guardiola said.

With City 5-0 up going into the second leg of a play-off tie to decide who advances to the group phase, boss Pep Guardiola has made a decision to reinstate Hart for one game. I know most of the trainers don’t like to.

Guardiola is set to make changes to his starting lineup for the game with Steaua with his side virtually guaranteed a place in the group stages following their 5-0 victory in Romania.

“In terms of long-term injuries, Vincent Kompany and Ilkay Gundogan have little problems”, Guardiola told reporters. But he has to help us, ‘ the City manager said.

“But it’s a process, so we need time to get better about our goal-kicks, about our build-up, and to create some movement to give some confidence to our attacking players”.

“If they want to leave because they prefer to play every game – not speaking about Joe, speaking about all the players in the squad – I want to live and work with the players who want to stay”.

Hart’s transformation from City’s No 1 for eight seasons to second, and possibly, third choice represents a remarkable turnaround for the 28-year-old Englishman.

Guardiola does not think Hart is good enough with his feet to fulfil the role he wants from his goalkeeper.

“I’ll go and speak to them about that – Pep and Joe – sooner or later”.

Asked if any approaches have been received for Hart, who has also been linked with Sevilla, Guardiola said: “I am not able to speak (about that) because I do not know what is going on”.

On Sunday, Sunderland plays Middlesbrough and West Ham hosts Bournemouth. But why would we play thinking it’s done?

“It was a dream come true to play last season”, he smiled.

Guardiola says teams must be wary of conceding similar fouls over the rest of the season, but insists he will not attach blame to the officials should City suffer a defeat.

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“I’m really happy with both of my goals, and happy to score them because it was our first away game, but it was more important to get the three points”.

Claudio Bravo's impending Manchester City arrival set to signal Joe Hart exit