Based on his performance against Iceland, Joe Hart should not be the number one choice for either England or Manchester City. And perhaps Pep Guardiola was watching England’s defeat closely as well after reports have emerged of him wanting to sign Claudio Bravo this summer.
As reported by Daily Mail, Guardiola fancies Bravo as the ideal option to be City’s No 1 choice goalkeeper next season. Bravo is currently’s Barcelona first choice but the 33-year old could be tempeted to work with Pep and his former goalkeeping coach Xabier Mancisidor, the duo worked together back during their time with Real Sociedad.
Bravo was Chile’s hero earlier this week after they beat Argentina in a penalty shoot out to win the Copa America title. His summer heroics have seen him jump ahead of Marc Andre Ter-Stegen as City’s priority target this summer. Although Hart is an English player and ticks most of the boxes for being an able keeper but his recurring errors are a concern for the incoming manager.
Pep wants to sure up every single position at Etihad before the next season starts which also includes finding a keeper who can start the season as No 1 and not necessarily act as a back up to Joe Hart.
Pep wants to bring his prefered possession based game to City which requires keepers to play an important role by being available to make a pass all the time and find their teammates. While Hart can do that but at times he is either rushed into making his decision or ends up commiting an error.
That is precisely the reason why Pep sees Bravo as the ideal signing this summer and is willing to bid beyond £15million. The 33-year old is contracted with Barcelona until 2018 and a firm offer would see the Catalan giants accept City’s generous bid.
Elsewhere, City have been also linked with Standard Liege – and former Barcelona – goalkeeper Viktor Valdes or Real Sociedad keeper Geronimo Rulli as Pep is working overtime to sure-up Man City’s goal keeping department ahead of the next season.
Meanwhile, City announced Nolito’s signing yesterday as the Celta Vigo forward becomes Guardiola’s second summer signing after Ilkay Gundogan signed a 4-year with the Citizens last month.
