Joe Hart confirms he will return to Manchester City - just as they prepare a record bid for a goalkeeper

Ederson Moraes is set to join the Etihad club for £35m from Benfica

Jack Austin
Monday 29 May 2017 08:58 EDT
Comments
Hart does not know where he will be playing next season, only that it won't be at Torino - or City
Hart does not know where he will be playing next season, only that it won't be at Torino - or City (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Joe Hart has confirmed he will leave Torino at the end of his loan spell just as parent club Manchester City look set to break the transfer record for a new goalkeeper.

The Englishman joined the Serie A side on a season-long loan after being ousted by Pep Guardiola when he joined the club – only for his replacement Claudio Bravo to prove to be a disaster.

Hart could only help Torino to a ninth-place finish this season and head coach Sinisa Mihajlovic said that as much as they wanted to keep the 29-year-old, they just couldn’t afford him.

Writing on social media on Monday, Hart said: “Thank you Torino, I am so proud to have played for your special football club.

“I will come back to see you all one day so it is bye for now, enjoy an amazing summer.

“The way you have treated me and my family is something that we will never forget.

“I will forever support Torino for the rest of my days. I have met so many special people and this has been one of the greatest experiences of my life.”

It is unclear just where Hart’s future lies but it is certainly not back at the Etihad after Ederson Moraes flew into Manchester for talks with City ahead of a proposed medical on Tuesday.

If the deal – understood to be in the region of £35m – goes through, the Brazilian under-23 stopper will overtake Gianluigi Buffon as the most expensive ever goalkeeper.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in