Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart has emerged as a shock contender to replace current Chelsea number one Thibaut Courtois, according to the Sun.
The newspaper reports on their website that the Blues are in the hunt for the 6″4 (source: Transfermarkt) colossus as a potential replacement for the Belgian shot-stopper, who is wanted by La Liga giants Real Madrid.
It is understood that the West London-based outfit now risk facing of the wrath their fans by lining up a £5million bid for the out-of-favour City player, who had a torrid loan spell at West Ham last season.
Chelsea are admirers of the former England international, who was not able to hold down the number one spot at the Hammers last term.
Good move for Chelsea?
No, definitely not. Hart was not even considered by Gareth Southgate to be included in the World Cup squad, and he could not even cement himself in the number one spot at the London Stadium.
It is understandable that they want to increase their count of homegrown players, but swooping for Hart is not the best way to go about that.
He has an attractive price tag, but their are far better goalkeepers out there that boss Maurizio Sarri could be looking at.
This is Futbol rating: 3/10
Likely to happen?
No, not really. The Blues have been linked with a number of keepers in this window, namely Petr Cech and Kasper Schmeichel, so it is not likely that this interest will amount to anything.
The fact that their fans are likely to be angered by a raid for Hart is something that they need to consider carefully, and whether he is the player they can worth risking.
It remain to be seen how far this interest will actually go.
This is Futbol rating: 3/10