Chelsea are considering a surprise move for out of favour Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart as a potential replacement for Thibaut Courtois, reports the Sun.
Courtois has been heavily linked with a £35m move to Real Madrid as he enters the final year of his contract in west London.
The Belgium number one has been heavily linked with a return to the Spanish capital having spent three years on loan with Atletico Madrid before establishing himself as first choice with Chelsea.
The Blues are keen to tie him down to a new long-term deal at Stamford Bridge, yet have been frustrated in their attempts to keep him in London.
It could prove that Chelsea have admitted defeat in their attempts to retain Courtois’ services, though they’d rather bring in some money for his departure instead of lose him on a free next summer.
Kasper Schmeichel and Petr Cech have been linked with moves to Stamford Bridge as Courtois’ replacement, but Hart as emerged as a shock target for Maurizio Sarri’s side.
The 31-year-old spent last season on loan at West Ham, but made just 19 league appearances for the Hammers following a string of disappointing displays at the London Stadium.
Indeed, Hart committed as many errors leading to an opposition goal as he kept Premier League clean sheets (4) last term, though he has been included in City’s squad that travelled to America for their pre-season tour.
Hart was a second half sub in their 1-0 loss to Borussia Dortmund in the International Champions Cup.
