United will bid for City star Hart if De Gea leaves

LONDON: Manchester United are plotting a sensational deal to sign Joe Hart from Manchester City – if David De Gea leaves this summer.

Jose Mourinho will attempt to raid his local rivals for England No. 1 Hart in the event the Spanish stopper quits Old Trafford to join Real Madrid.

The European champions are understood to be reviving their interest in signing the 6ft 4inch stopper this summer in a deal worth up to £60mil (RM336mil).

And Mourinho has made it clear to the Hart camp he is the one he wants to replace De Gea if he finally opts to return to Real.

The 26-year-old Spaniard has made no secret of desire to play in La Liga again and it could happen this summer with reports De Gea has moved out of his luxury Cheshire mansion.

Hart, 30, is surplus to requirements at the Etihad next season following a year loan stint in Italy with Torino and is keen to continue his career back in the English Premier League.

City boss Pep Guardiola has signed Benfica goalkeeper Ederson for £35mil (RM196mil) and is expected to oust Claudio Bravo as the first choice stopper at the Etihad.

That leaves no room for Hart in the blue half of the city and will have to push through a move to keep his England spot ahead of the ever-improving Jack Butland.

Potentially United could use De Gea as a bargaining chip in their ongoing efforts to land striker Alvaro Morata.

Morata struggled for game time last season following his return to Spain from Juventus and has reportedly told close friends has agreed to move to Old Trafford.

SunSport understands that could be seen as sound business to mitigate the loss of arguably the best goalkeeper in the world. — The Sun, London