The benching of Joe Hart in Manchester City's Premier League opener on Saturday against Sunderland was certainly a surprising decision by Pep Guardiola, and raised not only plenty of questions about the future of England's number one goalkeeper, as well as Guardiola's plans for the keeper position.
According to reports from Spain, he has found a new goal-stopper.
Catalan outlet Mundo Deportivo, one of the most reliable sources in Spain when it comes to transfer rumors, reports that Barcelona keeper Claudio Bravo has agreed to personal terms with Manchester City, and a permanent transfer could be completed in this transfer window. Guardiola initially wanted German keeper Ter Stegen, but Barça refused to sell the 24-year-old. Guardiola then asked for Bravo, and the Chilean wants to play in England.
After the yes from the player, City will move on to club negotiations, and according to the report, Barça are ready to accept a £21 million offer for the 33-year-old, who was signed for only £8 million back in 2014. The Catalan giants would make a big profit on the sale, and if Bravo is indeed keen on a move to the Etihad, they wouldn't be angry.
Bravo is a fantastic keeper with tremendous goal-stopping ability, and after two years playing in the Barça system, he is more than comfortable with the ball on his feet, and Guardiola requires all of his goalkeepers to play short passes instead of long balls. Hart is not known for doing a great job with his distribution, and Willy Caballero is not very reliable, so Bravo appears to be the best possible choice.
Claudio Bravo is expected to play for his current club until Ter Stegen recovers from an injury, but the Chilean can still join the Citizens before the end of the window. Let's wait for the next chapters.