Joe Hart cut a sorry figure since the start of the 2016-17 as Manchester City's manager, Pep Guardiola, has dropped the England No.1 since the start of the season. 35-year-old Willy Caballero has been given the nod ahead of the City veteran, which is seen as the new manager's first big change at the club.
Hart started in the second leg of their Champions League playoff against Steaua Bucharest, which is said to be his last appearance for the Citizens this season.
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FC Barcelona keeper, Claudio Bravo is expected to sign for Manchester City in the coming days, as Pep Guardiola has completed a major overhaul in his first summer transfer window.
City have signed as many as nine new players, with the latest being Claudio Bravo, in a deal believed to be worth £17 million. Bravo fits into Guardiola's plans of a ball-playing goalkeeper perfectly as the Chilean had the highest passing percentage in Europe last season, beating the likes of Manuel Neuer and Gianluigi Buffon.
Pep Guardiola was quoted saying earlier this month on Joe Hart, "All the players here have a contract. If they decide they want to stay they are going to stay. I spoke with them all. They all know exactly what the situation is. If they want to stay, stay and we will fight together. If they want to leave because they prefer to play every game - I am not speaking about Joe, I am speaking about all the players at the club - I want to live, I want to work, I want to stay with the players who want to stay. That is no doubt."
Though the Spaniard has expressed his desire to let the 29-year-old improve under his guidance, his international career too may take a hit as Sam Allardyce, the new England manager has made it clear he won't select any player on previous reputation.
With just a week left in the transfer market, Joe Hart faces an uncertain time with his future hanging in the balance.
With not so many clubs in the need of a first choice goalkeeper, let's take a look at the five possible destinations where Joe Hart can restart his career:
#1 Everton
Though he has been kept out of the starting lineup by Guardiola, there is no denying the fact that Hart is an elite goalkeeper with excellent skills at his disposal.
When announced as Everton manager, one of major priorities for Ronald Koeman was to sign a first team goalkeeper to bring much-needed stability between the posts. The Toffees still haven't solved that problem as they are rumoured to be in the market for an experienced keeper.
There does not seem to be any other keeper who can offer more at Goodison than Joe Hart. Everton signed Martin Stekelenberg from Fulham but the 33-year-old can't be called a reliable keeper. Joel Robles was expected to replace ex-Everton keeper Tim Howard, but Robles is very inconsistent.
Hart will arrive as a player not short on desire and hunger, as he will look to prove Guardiola wrong. He is an upgrade on the likes of Robles and Stekelenberg and this move makes sense for both the parties.
#2 Sevilla
Sky Sports reported last week that the 29-year-old is open to a move abroad in the hope for first team action. Sevilla is a team that can offer Hart Champions League football and it seems to be one of the very few clubs which can offer him that.
Sevilla finished seventh in the La Liga last season but will feature in the Champions League courtesy of their Europa League victory.
They are looking for a goalkeeper this window as goalkeeper Sergio Rico hasn't convinced the new boss, Jorge Sampaoli. Joe Hart offers an experienced pair of hands for the Europa League holders.
England players seldom move abroad but this chance may offer the England international a fresh challenge, in a new league.
Sampaoli is a brilliant manager, as he has shown when he was at the helm at Chile, and Joe Hart can improve a lot under the former Chile manager.
It will be a tough test for Hart as he has to get used to the different playing style in Spain along with the language barriers.
#3 Liverpool
The Reds were beaten by Sevilla in the Europa League final in May and have invested smartly this summer.
Liverpool have two senior goalkeepers – Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius, but with the latter injured with a broken hand and out till October, the shaky Mignolet is the only option for Klopp.
Joe Hart has loads of experience in the league and a winning attitude that could be hugely beneficial to help the young backline. Along with his shot stopping abilities, he is a leader in defense and can manage his defenders well during set pieces.
He is quick off his line too and has always been a big match player.
Liverpool can afford the England international as Hart might finally be the answer to the Reds' goalkeeping issues since the departure of Pepe Reina.
Karius, the new signing is highly rated but is unproven and didn’t have a proper pre-season. The German will gain invaluable experience being Hart's understudy and could learn a lot from the England keeper.
#4 Sunderland
Jordan Pickford, the academy graduate from Sunderland will play for Sunderland between the sticks this weekend as first-choice keeper Vito Mannone is expected to be out till November.
Joe Hart can bring much-needed experience to Moyes' defense as they have already lost one of their leaders this summer, Younnes Kaboul to Watford.
Joe Hart has been involved in many title races during his time at City. A move to the Stadium of Light offers him a completely different challenge which he hasn't undertaken in his illustrious career. Helping Sunderland concede less and keeping them up in the first division may earn him cult status in Tyneside.
Hart has been a passionate player all his life which may be on display in the Tyneside Derby if he makes a move to play for the Black Cats
#5 Manchester City
After all the drama over his future, Hart may also decide to stay at his present club and prove his worth to Pep Guardiola.
Competing with Claudio Bravo may bring out the best in him, as Hart still has many good years left in his locker, and competing with another quality player will only make him a better play
Pep Guardiola had also stated the same, "I spoke with Joe from the first moment we met in China. I try to be clear with my players and I was clear with him. I have a lot of respect about him as a person and a goalkeeper. I know his value and I know his talent. I was clear with what I was looking for. Maybe Joe will stay here and be a player who will fight with the other goalkeepers to convince me to play him. It’s simple like that. He knows from the beginning what I feel and what is the situation."
Hart can show his new boss that he has what it takes to be an integral player in his team. The Spaniard has changed the careers of several of his players during his time in Spain and Germany, and Joe Hart can gain a lot of wisdom from the 45-year-old to improve his passing ability and his footwork, and reclaim his No.1 spot from the new signing, Claudio Bravo.
