Not so long ago, Joe Hart was the dog’s bollocks.
The four-time Golden Glove winner was widely regarded as one of the best shot stoppers on the planet just a couple of years back, but now Manchester City are reportedly so desperate to get rid of him that they are willing to loan him out while continuing to pay the vast majority of his wages.
Hart’s position as City’s no.1 looked under threat as soon as the club changed management earlier this summer.
New boss Pep Guardiola favours a sweeper-keeper and has since brought in Claudio Bravo from Barcelona.
Hart was last night described as an “outcast” by The Mirror, who claim that City are prepared to pay £90,000 a week towards Hart’s £120,000 wages in order to sort out a loan deal for the England international.
According to The Mirror, Sunderland could be keen on the 29-year-old, with the Black Cats having recently lost their no.1 keeper Vito Mannone for at least three months due to an elbow injury.