Manchester City have earmarked Spoting CP goalkeeper Rui Patricio as the man they want to replace Joe Hart, according to The Times. Hart was a shock omission for the first game of the season against Sunderland, and it is believed Pep Guardiola still wants to bring in someone more comfortable on the ball than the England international.
Twitter: Portugal’s Rui Patricio (Sporting) is new #MCFC GK target, according to Sunday Times. As per Times yesterday, Ter Stegen deal looks unlikely (@OliverKayTimes)
Patricio links have already been made this summer but came to nothing – with City still preferring Barcelona’s Marc-Andre Ter Stegen. A move for the German now seems unlikely due to the Catalan side’s demands of £67 million despite him being second choice, and The Blues appear to have realigned their sights and set them upon Patricio instead.
Up to now, Patricio has been a one-club man with Sporting, playing 356 times in all competitions for him. Two of those have been against City, helping the Portuguese clubs knock The Blues out of the Europa League in the 2011-12 season. He made a late save from the man he could replace in the City goal – Joe Hart – before they eventually fell to Athletic Club in the semi-final.
Patricio is also a Portuguese international, having earned 52 senior caps for his country. He also made seven appearances at this summer’s European Championships, helping Portugal to win their first major honour.
Willy Caballero took Joe Hart’s place in goal for the 2-1 win at home to Sunderland, but is unlikely to be first-choice in the long-term, following consistent reports that City are keen on bringing in someone to play a sweeper keeper role before the transfer window closes. It’s thought that Hart has been working hard to try and adapt to the new role, but has been unable to convince Guardiola that he is capable of it.
Other publications believe that City may not be moving for Patricio, including Mundo Deportivo (quoted by Goal). They suggest that The Blues are close to finalising a move for 33-year-old Barcelona keeper Claudio Bravo, and have agreed personal terms for the Chilean, and would come much cheaper than Ter Stegen, at a price of around €25 million (£21.6 million).
