Joe Hart’s recent impressive form for West Ham United could be putting himself on the shop window ahead of the summer transfer window.
The 31-year-old keeper has struggled this season on loan from Manchester City at the London Stadium with his reputation taking a nose dive in recent years, but over the past few weeks he has shown glimpses of why he was once considered of the Premier League’s top stoppers.
It is unlikely that Hart will remain at Man City next season and it is expected that he will be on the market again.
Scottish champions Celtic have emerged as favourites to land him this summer and bookies have been forced to drastically slash odds on Englishman moving to Parkhead.
He started as an unlikely 16/1 to join the Hoops but now that has been cut to just 3/1.
Should Celtic consider a move for Hart this summer?
Hart has endured a frustrating season, often being second choice to Adrián, but he made a series of excellent saves for West Ham against Chelsea last month, saving five of Chelsea’s six shots on target at Stamford Bridge. Without Hart’s heroics between the sticks, West Ham United would have lost.
It has been these showings of late that have been drumming up some interest ahead of the summer transfer window.
If he was to arrive at Celtic, it would be a very high profile addition for Brendan Rodgers’ side to make, and he would almost certainly be an upgrade on their current goalkeeping options.
Celtic will possibly have a new stopper on their shopping list over summer, with some of their current options having question marks over them.
Celtic number one Craig Gordon has struggled with injury this season and could miss the Scottish Cup Final against Motherwell. Back-up goalie Scott Bain has recently signed a permanent four-year deal Dundee, however Former Nottingham Forest keeper Dorus de Vries looks certain for an exit this summer after having dropped down to third choice.
Rodgers might be starting to pull together a list of potential summer targets who can come in and add a bit of extra class for Celtic. With Hart potentially looking for a new home, he might try to tempt the England keeper to Scotland, with the allure of regular football and Champions League football available.
Recruits from the Premier League tend to do well in the Scottish Premiership, and after another mixed season Hart might struggle to get a club in the English top-flight.
If Hart is to be selected for the World Cup with England then he needs to be playing regularly and will be desperate for assured first-team football.
It’s not the first time Celtic have been linked with Hart and been suggested as a possible destination for him, and many fans wanted the Hoops boss to sign him back in the January transfer window. So he might be keeping an eye on Hart’s latest performances.
Although paying Hart’s wages could be problematic for the Glasgow club, he would be a brilliant signing for the Scottish champions if it restored him back to his best.
It’s certain that Rodgers would be keen to recruit a player who was his country’s first choice stopper until very recently, and that Hart would be keen to go to a club that plays great football with the prospect of regular first-team football.
And the truth is, there are few bigger clubs in the UK he could go to.
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