Aug.25: Manchester City on Thursday confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Claudio Bravo from Barcelona on a four-year deal, signalling the end of Joe Hart’s career at the Premier League club.
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That deal was finalised earlier today, paving the way for Bravo to complete his move to the Etihad Stadium for an undisclosed fee – thought to be around £15.4 million.
“Now I will challenge the other great goalkeepers the club has and together I hope we can win many trophies”.
“I have followed City’s progress in recent years and obviously know some of my new teammates from the Copa America”, he told the club’s official website.
Hart’s preference will be to go on loan in the knowledge that in a year’s time, numerous highest calibre clubs who do not now need a new No 1 might be reviewing the situation.
“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”, he added.
Bravo’s arrival has relegated Joe Hart to being City’s No3.
He kept a clean sheet in his first start of the season.
England manager Sam Allardyce has said Hart’s situation is “a concern” but that he would pick the player in his squad for the World Cup qualifier against Slovakia on 4 September. Certainly Hart’s actions after the game in acknowledging the heartfelt backing of fans did little to dispel that theory.
Guardiola, however, made clear he feels Bravo fits the bill in terms of the ball-playing keeper he is looking for, with Hart’s distribution being his perceived weakness. Everton boss Ronald Koeman has denied any interest despite being heavily linked while reports from Spain have suggested Sevilla’s reported enthusiasm has cooled.
Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund have also been mentioned as potential destinations but with no great conviction.
“If the transfer window is closed and he is here, he has to stay here, he will be treated like another one”. That could have ramifications for his England status.
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“I wouldn’t expect anything less from Joe”.
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Guardiola said: “I know he is a left-back but how he played against Sunderland and against Bucharest, it is hard to find a centre-back better than him”. He’s been working hard as everyone has and he deserved his chance to play. I will try to be fair with him.
