Everton target Joe Hart has been told by Pep Guardiola that he can leave Manchester City.
Guardiola dropped the England goalkeeper for his side’s Premier League opener with Sunderland, instead choosing to deploy understudy Willy Caballero.
And with the Spaniard targeting a move for Barcelona stopper Claudio Bravo, the Daily Express claim that Hart has been rendered surplus to requirement at the Etihad Stadium.
That news has boosted the Blues’ chances of landing the 29-year-old as Ronald Koeman attempts to source a new first-choice goalkeeper.
Guardiola admitted that Hart was unhappy at being overlooked for last Saturday’s defeat of the Black Cats.
He said: “I’m pretty sure he is not happy.
“All the players who don’t play aren’t sacked, they’re absent. Of course I would not be happy if absent, but now it is ‘try again’.
“I am sorry, I have to decide (on the team). We have 28 players. They have to convince me on the pitch.”