Manuel Neuer to Manchester City: Joe Hart 'under threat' as Pep Guardiola wants to sign Bayern Munich goalkeeper
Hart has been City's first-choice goalkeeper since emrging from their academy but could face competition from the man regarded as the best in the world
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Your support makes all the difference.Joe Hart’s future as Manchester City’s first-choice goalkeeper has been cast into doubt after the possibility of Pep Guardiola bringing Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer with him to the Etihad Stadium arose, according to reports.
Guardiola will arrive in the Premier League in the summer to replace Manuel Pellegrini as City manager, with the Spaniard already confirming the deal that will see him leave Bayern after three years in Germany.
A major squad overhaul is expected upon his arrival given City’s struggles in the Premier League of late, with their inability to challenge Chelsea last season compounded by their inconsistency this term which sees them down in fourth place and 10 points behind leaders Leicester, albeit with a game in hand.
It’s believed that while the goalkeeper berth is not a problem position in the City squad, Guardiola would like to bring in Neuer should Bayern be willing to let go of the World Cup winner. The 29-year-old still has three years left to run on his current contract, although The Mirror claim he could be in line for a substantial pay rise should City come calling with the club said to be willing to pay him up to £300,000-a-week,
Replacing Hart would be one of Guardiola’s first big calls given the England No 1 is a firm fan favourite and has hardly put a foot wrong during his time with the club, having developed in to one of the best shot stoppers in the Premier League.
However, if he is trying to impress the incoming manager with his performances then he would not have been pleased with his showing in the 3-0 defeat by Liverpool on Wednesday night, where he was caught flat-footed by an Adam Lallana effort from outside the box that beat him at his near post.
One thing that could land in hart’s favour though is Bayern’s unwillingness to sell their players to Guardiola given the way that he dragged out his future before confirming his exit, and the former Barcelona head coach will also have to deal with strengthening the squad in areas that are much weaker than City are currently between the sticks.
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