Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart. (Photo : Getty Images)
English Premier League powerhouse Manchester City is set to keep Joe Hart as still their number one next season after back-to-back La Liga champions FC Barcelona will reportedly deter deals that will take anyone of their two goalkeepers Claudio Bravo and Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Caught Offside reported that the 29-year-old Englishman is "poised to remain Manchester City number one next season" because new head coach Pep Guardiola's choice goalkeepers, Bravo or ter Stegen both from Barça, may not be available for a transfer this summer.
Barcelona sporting director Robert Fernandez had recently insisted that the Catalonia giants "will do whatever it takes" to retain the two world-class goal tenders. Bravo has been Barça's regular keeper during domestic top flight games while ter Stegen is the man between the posts during continental club competitions.
"I'll do what it takes to prevent either of (Bravo and ter Stegen) from leaving this summer," said Fernandez. "Our stance has not changed one bit since I last said both would continue."
"People speculate too much, but the fact is we have two extraordinary goalkeepers under contract," the director added.
The report said that both the Chile and Germany internationals are both "happy with Barcelona's rotation arrangement", but the opportunity to become the only starting goalkeeper with the Citizens may be enticing to pass up.
It also noted that "Hart is arguably not as comfortable with the ball at his feet as Guardiola would like his goalkeeper to be, to suit his playing style, while Bravo and Ter Stegen both excel at distribution", which is why the Spanish bench tactician, who had won top flight titles both with Barça and Bayern Munich, is keen on replacing Hart as his first choice at the net next season.
Meanwhile, Daily Mail Online indicated that Barcelona may be ready to let go of ter Stegen this summer as former Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina is set to be signed by the club as potential replacement.
Rumors abound that Reina's transfer from Napoli to Barcelona "may take some time to negotiate" but talks are already in progress so it may be a matter of time before City can also submit an official bid for the Germany international.
However, if Fernandez's words hold true, then City may have a hard time luring away ter Stegen and should be content with having Hart for the moment.
