Newcastle United keeping tabs on Joe Hart situation

Newcastle United are monitoring Joe Hart’s situation at Manchester City, ready to pounce should he be made available for loan this season.

It is clear that the England international has no future at Manchester City, who were happy to loan him to Italian side Torino last season. Pep Guardiola favoured both Claudio Bravo and Willy Caballero in goal, and although the latter has left and since signed for Chelsea, the Spaniard has spent a fee of around £34million to lure Brazilian shot-stopper Ederson from Benfica.

It is understood the Blues would prefer to sell Hart rather than let him have another temporary spell away from the club, but they could price potential suitors out of the race by demanding as much as £20million. This could open the door to another loan transfer, and according to Sky Sports, Rafael Benitez is interested in offering him regular first team football at Newcastle.

The St James’ Park chief has Karl Darlow and Rob Elliott to count upon this season, but recognises that up until last term, Hart was widely accepted to be one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League. But if City agree to let the 30-year-old go on loan again, the Magpies are sure to face some stiff competition with West Ham United are known admirers of the player.

Meanwhile, Newcastle are on the verge of luring Florian Lejeune back to England. The 26-year-old was contracted to Manchester City in 2015-16 but spent the season on loan at Girona before moving to Eibar, where he starred last term in helping the Spanish side to a 10th place La Liga finish. Benitez is set to spend £8.7million of his budget to meet the release clause in the defender’s contract.

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