Manchester City: Chelsea to move for ‘keeper; Pep wants Bayern defender; Yaya on China deal

Add as preferred source on Google

Joe Hart could be on his way to Chelsea when his spell at Italian side Torino ends, with The Sun understanding that Antonio Conte will move for the out-of-favour City ‘keeper if Thibaut Courtois leaves Stamford Bridge.

Embed from Getty Images

Hart, who has been on a season-long loan in Italy after falling out with new Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola over last summer, is believed to be a target for Chelsea.

Despite statistically being the best goalkeeper in the Premier League at present, keeping five more clean sheets than any other number one (13), it is believed that the Belgian ‘keeper wants a move back to Spain to be with his family in Madrid.

The 29-year-old Hart has been starring for Torino this season, keeping five clean sheets – more than Claudio Bravo has kept at the Etihad – as he’s helped lift his new side to the top half of the table.

The England number one will have a decision to make when his spell finishes, and it’s possible that he will want a move back to England to increase his chances of sustaining his spot in Gareth Southgate’s national side.

With Manchester City’s defensive issues well documented over the past few weeks, Pep Guardiola could also be ready to use his Bayern Munich contacts and bring in defender Juan Bernat over summer.

Embed from Getty Images

The Mirror claims that the Spaniard, who is looking to strengthen his back-line with two full backs and a centre-back, is looking at bringing in the 23-year-old in a deal worth £20 million plus.

City have struggled to find consistency in their defence this season, with Guardiola constantly changing his formation and line-up as he searches for a stable back four; with 28 goals conceded, the most of any of their top six rivals, Guardiola knows he needs reinforcements to challenge for the title next season.

Bernat has featured infrequently for Bayern so far this season, and the offer of regular first-team football could tempt him into a move to the Etihad.

Lastly, Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has opened up about the speculated move to China, telling the Manchester Evening News that he never even entertained the thought of leaving the Etihad.

Embed from Getty Images

Toure, who was offered a £430,000-per-week to move to the Chinese Super League, said:

“I’m still looking young, right? I want to play in Europe, especially in England. I want to continue doing that for a few years yet.

“I always say that if I went to China I would end up feeling angry there.

The Ivorian also called upon the example of Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has been starring for City’s rivals this season in his first season in the Premier League. He continued:

“Look at my friend Ibrahimovic. He’s 35 and he’s going to play for maybe three more years? He’s got the same mentality as me, he’s a big player, a champion who loves football. It’s football first.

“Anything after that is a bonus, you can be lucky to go and play for big clubs and still earn a lot of money. But those who go to China – I don’t think like that.”

Toure has made it clear that he wants to remain in England and fight for a new deal under Pep Guardiola, after coming back into the side after falling out with the City boss earlier in the season.

Featured Image: All rights reserved by Rasit Ozdemir.