Torino want Hart to stay in Italy

ITALIANS KEEN TO KEEP HOLD OF JOE – AND GUARDIOLA IS HAPPY TO LET HIM GO

TORINO want to keep Joe Hart when his loan deal expires at the end of the season.

The Serie A club claim that the City keeper, who was allowed to leave by Blues boss Pep Guardiola in August, is happy at the Italian side.

And club president Urbano Cairo said they will be looking at the chances of Hart staying with them next season – although he did not make it plain whether they would be seeking a permanent deal or another loan.

“With him (Hart), there is an excellent relationship,” said Cairo. “He is happy to stay in Turin and we can work on it.

“It depends very much on City, but I think Hart would be pleased to remain at Toro, then we will talk to City about the idea and what they want to do.”

Hart has been touted as a transfer target for Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea in the summer, and City would be prepared to sell him – although maybe not to a Premier League rival.

Guardiola made it plain last summer that Hart was not in his plans, bringing in Claudio Bravo from Barcelona.

And he has not changed his mind, despite Bravo so far failing to impress, and being dropped in favour of Willy Caballero.

Last week, the City boss was asked about Hart and said tersely: “I’m so happy with Willy and Claudio. We are going to talk about it at the end of the season.”

Hart has been a big success at Torino, quickly establishing himself as the number one at the club.