Forget Neuer and Begovic, Man City eye Argentine as Hart replacement

Occasionally, the Premier League is blessed with a goalkeeper that is arguably equally as well known for his choice of legwear, as he is for his shot-stopping abilities.

Gabor Kiraly’s baggy trousers were a feature of his time at Crystal Palace and Aston Villa between the sticks, while back in the 1990s, Dmitri Kharine was one of the most distinctive players in the Premier League, partly because of his choice of trousers.

Goalkeepers of this persuasion are not as common in the Premier League any more, but Manchester City are eyeing one up as a potential replacement for Joe Hart.

Asmir Begovic remains one of the biggest names linked, while there has also been some unlikely speculation involving Bayern Munich and German number one Manuel Neuer with a switch to the Etihad.

A move for Begovic does have some degree of possibility, but links with Argentine 21-year-old Geronimo Rulli may have a wider degree of truth to them.

Estudiantes chairman Enrique Lombardi has previously suggested that the club would be willing to sell for the right price and Rulli has already had European interest from Barcelona, as a possible replacement for Victor Valdes, whose contract is up at the end of the season.

Rulli has been an ever present in the Estudiantes team this season that have only conceded 14 goals in their 19 games in the Torneo Inicial, with no club in the division having a better defensive record.

Not only does Rulli stand at 6ft 3ins tall, but he has previously been praised in areas including reflexes, calmness in pressure situations and abilities in one-on-one circumstances.

This would be valuable at Man City, who remain the favourites in the Premier League odds to win the title this season at 13/8, despite sitting fourth in the standings at present.