Ronald Koeman’s Everton have been tipped as favourites to land Manchester City outcast Joe Hart ahead of Merseyside rivals Liverpool in the summer.
The Toffees were linked with a move for the England international last August after he was shipped out of the first-team set-up at the Etihad, but reject to make a formal bid for Hart due to City’s asking price.
Now, however, reports making the rounds suggested Ronald Koeman to reignite his interest in Hart when he returns from a season-long loan at Torino, according to the Liverpool Echo, and will face bitter rivals Liverpool to his signature if they try and lure him to Goodison Park.
The Toffees are on the lookout for reinforcements as they are eyeing 2018/19 Champions League qualification via their finishing position in the Premier League next season, and may choose to enter negotiation with Manchester City about bringing Joe Hart to Goodison Park.
Everton’s two current first-choice goalkeeprs Joel Robles and Maarten Stekelenburg have enjoyed somewhat impressive seasons between the sticks this season, but neither has registered a strong claim to be the undisputed number one under Koeman moving into the close season.
The form of both shot stoppers has lent further credence to Everton’s supposed desire to attract a world-class keeper to L4 – whether that be Hart or not – as Koeman continued to overhaul the squad left to him by predecessor Roberto Martinez.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, meanwhile, distanced his side form making a reported £20m offer for Hart in the summer after report broke out on Wednesday made mentioned of such possibility. The former Borussia Dortmund manager stated that he was satisfied with his own goalkeeping contingent at Anfield, and believed that the Reds first-choice Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius were good enough to provide competition for each other in the battle for a starting berth in his first choice XI.
That has not stopped bookies from making the Reds 7/2 second favourites to prise the 30-year-old away from Manchester, though, while Hart’s temporary home – Torino – are placed at 4/1 outsiders.
Hart has made almost 350 appearances in all competitions for City, but is unlikely to force his way back into Pep Guardiola’s plans upon his return at the season’s end.