Pep Guardiola: Joe Hart free to leave Manchester City if he wants out

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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will not try to persuade England goalkeeper Joe Hart to stay if he wants to leave the Etihad Stadium.

Guardiola dropped Hart for City's first match of the league season against Sunderland (a 2-1 win) last weekend, and continued with Willy Cabellero for the 5-0 win at Steaua Bucharest in the Champions League play-off round.

“I don’t want players to stay if they don’t want to stay," said Guardiola ahead of Sunday's home match with West Ham. "If they want to stay, stay and we will fight together.

“I spoke with Joe the first moment we met in China (during pre-season), I have a lot of respect for him as a person and as a keeper...he’s valuable.”

Everton and Liga side Sevilla are apparently interested in the player, who has won two Premier League titles with City in 2012 and 2014.

He is apparently interested in a loan move with Guardiola said to be unconvinced by his ability with ball at feet.

Sunderland manager David Moyes and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola shakes hands before the game

Ronald Koeman was playing his cards close to his chest on Thursday when asked about Everton's reported interest in Hart - but did stress the club "need three goalkeepers" and have a decision to make in that department.

"It is today Joe Hart, it will be tomorrow (someone else). I prefer not to talk about players who are still in contract with other teams than Everton."

But he added: "We always look (at) players to have a stronger squad than we have. If we think we don't have that type of player in the squad, then we will sign that player.

"Really what we need we will bring into the team."

Koeman then emphasised "we need three goalkeepers", before adding: "We have Maarten (Stekelenburg), we have Joel (Robles) and we have a young goalkeeper.

"It is all about a decision we need to make."

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