Football
Jonathan Smith, Manchester City correspondent 7y

Joe Hart planning for permanent move away from Manchester City

Joe Hart says his future lies away from Manchester City and that he needs to sort out a permanent move at the end of the season.

The England goalkeeper is currently only loan at Torino after being allowed to leave by new City boss Pep Guardiola on the final day of the transfer window in August.

Hart, 29, joined City 10 years ago and after a successful season-long loan at Birmingham City became the club's No. 1 -- going on to make 348 appearances, but his only game this season came in the Champions League playoff clash with Steaua Bucharest where he waved to fans ahead of his move to Torino and he expects that to be his final ever appearance for the club.

"This is the second time I've gone out on a season-long loan. I've not been sent here to see how I do or see if I improve, I've been sent out because I wasn't wanted," he told Sky Sports.

"I'm not here to prove what I can do, I'm here because I need to look elsewhere and I didn't have a chance to sort anything permanently.

"The way I look at it, I want to do as well as I can for Torino and if somebody comes in for me I don't think Manchester City are going to stand in my way."

Hart had a tough time at the European Championship in the summer as England crashed out of the tournament to Iceland in the round of 16. Guardiola then started the season with reserve keeper Willy Caballero before bringing in Chile international Claudio Bravo for £14 million from Barcelona.

The City boss wanted to change the team's style, particularly defensively, and was looking for a goalkeeper who was more comfortable with the ball at his feet.

"I came in after the other players because of the Euros, and when we first had a conversation he said he had his reservations about me," Hart said. "I shook his hand, I said it was professionally honest, but not what I wanted to hear.

"I said I wanted to work for him and see what happens but I got the impression that it wasn't really going anywhere. I got the feeling I wasn't going to play. I spoke to the chief executive and said: 'You want me to go don't you?' He didn't stop me with what I was saying.

"I'm up for a fight but you've got to be clever and pick your battle. It was the opinion of a guy who has got a lot of power at the club and I wasn't on the right side of it.

"The goalkeeper he signed [Bravo] was a good goalkeeper. He liked Willy [Cabellero] as well, he liked Angus [Gunn] and I wouldn't say there was an awful lot coming in my direction so I thought I needed to go elsewhere and I'm really grateful to Torino for giving me the opportunity.

"I would have backed myself but I prefer thinking about how I can help Torino now rather than 'what if' or 'I could have done that.'"

Torino are currently sixth in Serie A -- thee points off a Champions League place -- but Hart says Sinisa Milhajlovic's realistic target is securing a place in next season's Europa League.

"The manager isn't here to play around. He wants the Europa League spot for us, and that will be a really good achievement as there's only three Champions League spots in Serie A," he added. "We're competing with Juventus, Roma, Napoli, Lazio and Milan who are really pushing for the spots.

"It's a tight race but we're up there and we're doing alright. You need to be really strong at home.

"My head is now on helping Torino for the season. Football changes quickly and I don't know what might happen in January but I'm thinking as if I will be here for the season."

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