PEP PUTS HART IN HIS PLACE AS BRAVO FLIES IN
JOE HART could make his final appearance for Manchester City tonight after Pep Guardiola yesterday completed the £17million signing of Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo. The arrival of the Chilean means Hart is now third choice at the Etihad, behind Bravo and Willy Caballero, although the England No1 is set to play in tonight’s Champions League qualifying second leg against Steaua Bucharest, a dead rubber with City 5-0 up. Hart, who was seen deep in discussion with Guardiola during training yesterday, is furious at not being informed earlier that he wasn’t in the Spaniard’s plans and could still secure a move away before the transfer window closes next week. It seems inconceivable the 29-year-old should remain in limbo at the Etihad beyond then — even more so after new England boss Sam Allardyce warned he has to be playing regular first-team football to represent his country. But that is the prospect facing Hart (right) following the breakdown of talks between City and Everton over a loan deal that has put pressure on all parties to find a solution to the problem — and fast. Once again yesterday, Guardiola had to answer questions about a player who has started the first three games of this season on the bench. The City boss maintained he gets on well with Hart when it was put to him that pictures of the two men engaged in an animated conversation in training yesterday morning might suggest otherwise. ‘I have an excellent relationship with Joe,’ said Guardiola. ‘He is clear with me — and me with him. We spoke about football. He has a chance to play (in the second leg), the same as Angus Gunn and Willy and the other ones. ‘I’ve said many times he is our player. Until the 31st of this month, all the players here are our players, my players. ‘After, we will speak about everything and the situation with Joe I have spoken about in the last two press conferences. I don’t know (about any enquiries for Hart). I’m not involved to speak. I don’t know what’s going on.’ Bravo will play the ‘sweeper keeper’ role Guardiola feels is currently beyond Hart’s capabilities, with Caballero expected to revert back to No 2. ‘I cannot deny what everyone knows,’ said Guardiola. ‘Barcelona were the first ones a week or ten days ago to announce the contact with Manchester City but, I’m sorry, when the deal is complete or not complete, I will be open to answer. In this moment he is not our player.’ Everton’s refusal to pay all of Hart’s £135,000-a-week wages proved to be the main stumbling block in negotiations and Guardiola acknowledged that