Newcastle turn attention to 71-time international after Benitez transfer plan fails – report
By Matt Farr
Newcastle United are ready to join the race to sign Manchester City outcast Joe Hart this summer, according to a report.
The Sun claim that Magpies chief Rafa Benitez has turned his attention to the 30-year-old goalkeeper after missing out on a deal to sign free-agent Willy Caballero.
Benitez has made a move for a new stopper a high priority this summer despite boasting an already packed goalkeeping department at St. James Park, and he had wanted to bring Caballero to the club.
But the 35-year-old was has decided to snub interest from Newcastle and join Premier League rivals Chelsea, after his contract at Manchester City expired last month.
However, while Benitez is growing increasingly frustrated at his failure to land his primary targets, he will now attempt to prize 71-time international Hart to the club.
Like Caballero, the England stopper also faces an uncertain future at the Etihad this summer, having been cast out of the first-team setup by Pep Guardiola a year ago.
Hart spent the 2016-17 season on loan at Serie A outfit Torino, where he kept just five clean sheets from 37 appearances in all competitions, but he is still deemed as surplus to requirements at his parent club.
Man City are willing to let Hart leave the club this summer for a reasonable price, which could suit Newcastle as they seek to strengthen their side ahead of their return to the Premier League this season.
Premier League rivals West Ham are also said to be keen on a move for the out-of-favour stopper, while Watford have also shown their hand by submitting an enquiry.
Football Insider verdict
Although Hart has struggled for consistency, and has suffered from a number of high-profile errors of late, he would still be a priceless signing for the newly-promoted side. Even though there are three senior goalkeepers already in the Newcastle ranks, there is a widespread lack of outstanding top-flight quality and experience, of which Hart has in abundance. He will be available to be snapped up this summer, unlike many of their other potential targets, although Man City will still want a fair financial return on the player. That said, as England’s number one stopper, he is a player capable of ensuring Newcastle remain in the top-flight for the long-term.
In other Newcastle transfer news, fans on Twitter have delivered their verdicts to reported interest in this former Premier League playmaker.
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