Joe Hart wanted by Chelsea for transfer as a shock replacement for Thibaut Courtois
Blues could anger fans with move for Hart - who spent much of last season on the bench for rivals West Ham
JOE HART is a shock name on Chelsea’s shortlist to replace Thibaut Courtois.
The Blues risk angering fans with a £5million raid for the out-of-favour Manchester City keeper, who has just spent a disastrous season on loan at West Ham.
Belgium stopper Courtois is wanted by Real Madrid and has yet to agree new terms despite now entering the final year of his Stamford Bridge deal.
The Chelsea hierarchy are admirers of Hart, 31, even though he was left out of England’s World Cup squad and was brutally axed by City boss Pep Guardiola.
Hart is seen by Chelsea and new boss Maurizio Sarri as a good option due to his small price tag — and because he boosts their count of homegrown players.
Yet any deal could rile Blues supporters after he could not even nail down the No 1 slot while on loan at bitter rivals West Ham.
Hart, who was farmed out to Torino the season before last, has been told he is still surplus to requirements at the Etihad.
But he is currently on the Premier League champs’ tour of the USA.
He has 12 months left on his City contract, so the club must sell or risk losing him for nothing.