Manchester City are close to securing the signature of Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo as the Chilean is expected to arrive in England on Thursday to finalise the agreement.
Pep Guardiola made a big statement by dropping England number one Joe Hart to the bench on Saturday against Sunderland, and playing Willy Caballero in goal in the first league game of their season.
There is furious speculation that Hart could be on his way out of the Etihad, and it seems Manchester City are preparing for the Englishman’s eventual departure from the club.
According to Catalan daily Sport, Barcelona shot-stopper Bravo is set to leave the Nou Camp this month, and will be in Manchester on Thursday to finalise a transfer to the Etihad.
The 33-year-old has been first choice since he joined Barcelona in 2014, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen playing his understudy, but it has been claimed that the German could start the season as their first choice goalkeeper.
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And it seems the Chilean has decided to leave Barcelona, with the club willing to accept Manchester City’s €25m offer for the veteran goalkeeper in the coming days to call time on his stint at the Nou Camp.
While Bravo will arrive in Manchester this week to finalise the agreement, he is not expected to become a Citizen soon as Barcelona want him in goal against Real Betis next weekend.
Ter Stegen is currently recovering from a knee injury, and is set to return to action soon, but until then Barcelona want to keep hold of the Chilean.
However, by the end of the month Bravo is expected to become a Manchester City player.
