Man City Boss Manuel Pellegrini To Raid Former Club Malaga For Keeper Willy Caballero After Joe Hart Errors

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City boss concerned by poor Joe Hart form.

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Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini could raid his old club Malaga for goalkeeper Willy Caballero, after concerns over the poor form of Joe Hart, CaughtOffside has learned.

Although Hart’s form from 2009 to 2012 saw him rise to be regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, he suffered a noticeable dip in his performances last season, making several high-profile individual errors in a disappointing trophyless campaign for City.

The 26-year-old was at fault twice again yesterday as City succumbed to a surprise 3-2 defeat to newly-promoted Cardiff City, leading former assistant manager David Platt to allegedly reveal the club’s plans to drop him this season.

Platt was sacked along with former manager Roberto Mancini at the end of last season, but he said that if they had stayed in charge they would have replaced Hart with Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.

This shock revelation has led Pellegrini to reconsider his decision to keep the England number one as first choice at the Etihad Stadium this season, and he is now hoping he can reunite himself with Caballero from his old club Malaga.

The Argentine shot-stopper has been in terrific form over the last couple of years, and was widely considered to be the best goalkeeper in La Liga last season. He starred once again yesterday, making a series of fine saves to deny Barcelona though he could not prevent a 1-0 defeat for his side, and he could soon be heading for the Premier League.

The 31-year-old would relish the chance to work with Pellegrini again, and could move for as little as £7million due to financial problems with the Spanish club. This has seen them sell key players such as Santi Cazorla, Nacho Monreal, Joaquin and Isco in the last year, and could work to City’s advantage here as they look for someone to aid their goalkeeping crisis.

It is understood that Pellegrini will not move for Begovic as Platt and Mancini would have, with the Bosnian looking increasingly likely to stay at the Britannia Stadium for at least one more season, and likely to command a much larger fee of £15million or more.

Pellegrini tried and failed to raid Malaga earlier this summer when he pursued young midfielder Isco, though he eventually chose a move to Real Madrid, but he will be hoping he can be successful this time in recruiting Caballero.

It is thought that he could also consider a move for Iker Casillas of Real Madrid, as the Spanish World Cup winner currently undergoes a small crisis of his own, being dropped to the bench by new manager Carlo Ancelotti in favour of Diego Lopez.

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