Newcastle United’s interest does not reflect well on Manchester City’s Joe Hart

Follow us on Google Discover

Newcastle United reportedly wanted Willy Caballero and Pepe Reina this summer; only now are they fighting West Ham and Watford for Joe Hart

Just a few short years ago, various European super clubs would be tripping over themselves if they discovered that Joe Hart might be available for transfer.

These days, however, the out-of-favour England number one is a genuine, realistic target for clubs who finished 11th and 17th in the Premier League last season, not to mention a newly-promoted side relegated as recently as last year.

The Sun claims that Hart, who was publically criticised by Torino’s president following a series of high profile errors during a loan spell in Serie A last season, could find that Watford, West Ham or Newcastle is the next destination in a stuttering career.

Joe Hart kept just five clean sheets in 36 games for leaky Torino

And it is links with Newcastle which are perhaps the most intriguing. Back in the big time after winning the Championship title at the first time of asking, and with a Champions League winning manager in Rafael Benitez, the 52,000 capacity St James’ Park should now be an enticing destination for big-name targets.

However, the fact that Newcastle are only now being linked with Hart speaks volumes. According to the report, Benitez was hugely disappointed that Willy Caballero, who was once the understudy to Hart at City, had joined Chelsea instead.

And the report adds that they remain interested in Napoli’s Spanish international Pepe Reina, a goalkeeper Benitez knows well from his spell at the Stadio San Paolo as well as a successful era at Liverpool.

Last resort?

Therefore, it appears that Hart is Newcastle’s third choice option this summer, which is quite the fall for a goalkeeper once considered one of the best in the game.

Nonetheless, Tyneside appears the ideal place for Hart to kick-start his career. If there is any manager, and fan base, that can turn Hart into a top class, respected shot-stopper once more, it is at St. James’ Park.