Goalkeeper has been a problem position for Pep Guardiola at Manchester City this season.
After deciding that four-time Premier League Golden Glove winner Joe Hart was not a good enough technician on the ball for his side and shipped him out on loan to Torino, Guardiola brought in Claudio Bravo from Barcelona and it’s fair to say he’s been an abject failure, exemplified by his benching for Willy Caballero in recent weeks.
It’s reported that Hart will be let go of on a permanent basis in the summer and Bravo could also be sent on his way if his form doesn’t pick up – not to mention the fact that Caballero, 35, is out of contract at the end of the season. Less that a year on from bringing in the ‘answer’ between the sticks, Guardiola is once again entering the transfer market for a shot stopper he can rely on.
Manuel Neuer is a player that Guardiola worked with during his time at Bayern Munich and is obviously a huge fan of as Calciomercato note the Spaniard wants to bring Neuer to the Etihad Stadium next season.
However, speaking to the media prior to Bayern’s Champions League last 16 clash with Arsenal, Neuer nipped any talk of a summer switch in the bud.
“There was no contact and, as you know, I’m happy and satisfied here and my contract I’ve just extended actually. It honours me that there’s speculation and talk about it. Pep still has my phone number but he hasn’t called me, so everything is alright,” Neuer is quoted as saying.
Don’t be surprised if Guardiola gives Neuer a courtesy call in the summer, but he shouldn’t expect a positive answer.
