Could signing Claudio Bravo star turn Manchester City into title favourites?

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All summer there has been speculation surrounding Joe Hart’s future at the Etihad, and reports in Spain suggest that there could be a major development in the coming weeks.

Barcelona number 1 Claudio Bravo is the one being tipped by the media to replace the first choice England goalkeeper as Pep Guardiola looks to bring in a ‘keeper to match his desired style of play.

Having managed Victor Valdes and Manuel Neuer as the two first-choice goalkeepers in his career, Guardiola has a clear preferred profile for a ‘keeper, and it is not yet clear if the former Shrewsbury man matches up to that. Despite being one of Europe’s most respected goalkeepers, it could well be the time that we see Hart move on this summer.

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Hart has not performed poorly by any stretch of the imagination, but speculation has persisted throughout the summer that he could be one of those culled by Pep Guardiola. The 29-year-old has previously been dropped at times by former boss Mauricio Pellegrini, in favour of Willy Caballero, and suffered from poor form for his national side at the Euros this summer.

There are also doubts over whether he will fit the Guardiola system, lacking the composure and skills with the ball at his feet that Guardiola’s past first choice ‘keepers have had.

That said, Hart has won the Premier League’s Golden Glove award four times, holds the record for the number of saves in one Champions League match; 10 against Barcelona last season, and proved vital at times in the past campaign, none more so than when he saved Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s penalty in City’s Champions League quarter-final tie in Paris.

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Chile captain Claudio Bravo though, is pretty much the ideal match for the profile that Guardiola is looking for. Good with the ball at his feet, Bravo has been a vital cog in the Barcelona machine as they have won La Liga in both of his seasons as number 1 at the Camp Nou. This is true as much with his hands as much as his feet.

Reports suggest that he will no longer be the number one option in La Liga at Barcelona next season, with Luis Enrique set to choose Marc-Andre Ter Stegen as first choice in all competitions, after the German considered a move to find first-team football. Such a decision would most likely force Bravo out of the club, and although he would be reluctant to leave, he accepts that this may be the case.

Bravo has a good record in La Liga, averaging a goal conceded once in every two games in his time at Barcelona, enough to win the equivalent of the Golden Glove in the 2014/15 season, and almost breaking the record set for fewest goals conceded in 1994 in the process.

At 33, Bravo may not have long left at the peak of his career, but his age also means that he may come fairly cheaply, and would be perfect for the Guardiola style of playing out from the back should City decide that they are in need of a replacement for their current number one.

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