"?Everton are set to accelerate their interest in Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart, according to "?The Telegraph. The England international's future has been the subject of heavy speculation since he was dropped by Pep Guardiola for City's opening game of the season and matters have seemingly progressed over the weekend.
Now the final nail appeared to be hammered into the coffin that is the 29-year-old's career at the Etihad Stadium after it was reported Claudio Bravo had agreed a £17m deal that will see him installed as Guardiola's first-choice stopper.
Although Bravo started for the Catalan giants in their 6-2 destruction of Real Betis on Saturday night, they are set to replace the Chilean stopper with Ajax's Jasper Cillessen - while they also have Marc-Andre ter Stegen once he returns from injury. Luis Enrique is now happy to let Bravo leave for City now that he has Cillessen as to deputise between the sticks.
#EFC bid for Joe Hart as #MCFC agree fee for Barcelona's Claudio Bravo https://t.co/krCh9HGGAR pic.twitter.com/8THhWVvCXv
Hart is said to considering an offer from Everton, while Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool have also reportedly showed an interest. However, City's valuation - which comfortably exceeds £20m - is far beyond Dortmund's financial means and may pave the way for the Toffees to close in.
Everton signed Maarten Stekelenburg in the summer and the Dutchman has been solid so far, but Ronald Koeman and Everton's new sporting director Steve Walsh have been co-operating with the view of signing what they believe to be a top-class goalkeeper.
Hart is said to be weighing up his options, which could involve a season-long loan deal at the Merseyside club, or a permanent move. Hart is said to be of the mind that if there is a glimmer of hope in saving his City career, he would like to take it - meaning a loan arrangement may be the most attractive proposition.