Five potential replacements for Hart at Man City as Guardiola drops England’s number one

Areola managed to help the Yellow Submarine on the way to 17 clean sheets last term and concluded the campaign with the second best home record in the division.

At 23-years-old, Areola is every bit the modern keeper, possessing superb shot stopping ability and the close control and distribution that Hart has failed to add to his game.

PSG now possess three quality goalies, with Areola, Salvatore Sirigu and Kevin Trapp in their ranks – with the latter looking like new boss Unai Emery’s number one.

Samir Handanovic (Inter Milan)

Despite standing at 6ft 4in with an imposing physique, Handanovic is agile and renowned for outstanding reflexes and acrobatic saves.

However, it is his ability to organise defences and orchestrate attacks from deep that will have Guardiola interested.

Handanovic is also known for his speed off his line and anticipation, possibly allowing him to be used as a Manuel Neuer-like sweeper-keeper, a role Guardiola valued hugely at Bayern Munich and Barcelona.

Bernd Leno (Bayer Leverkusen)

The 24-year-old German is widely regarded by many as one of the hottest goalkeeping prospects in Europe, and has cemented his place in Leverkusen’s starting squad since his move in 2011.

Leno was a rock for the German outfit last year, seeing them achieve Champions League football. With Omer Toprak (although injured for a large part of the season) next to him last term, the two developed a calm, assured understanding – building attacks from defence. This could attract Guardiola to the capped German international, with John Stones operating in the role Toprak did.

Victor Valdes (Middlesbrough)

This may seen like a left-field choice, but Guardiola adores Valdes and was vital to the way Barca played and dominated during his tenure in Spain.

Valdes regularly racked up more passes than the opposing team for the Catalan club, winning six La Liga titles and three Champions Leagues in the process. He was a trusted performer for Guardiola and may be an option to fill Hart’s boots.

The Catalan coach has won the domestic double at both clubs he has been at so far and is 16/1 to achieve the feat in Manchester.

Boro could be willing to sell after acquiring Valdes for free from Manchester United this summer.

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