Transfer news: Joe Hart to Everton; Alexandre Lacazette keen on Arsenal; Manchester United eye Jose Fonte

The biggest and best transfer stories on Monday 15 August as Joe Hart nears a City exit

The rift between Pep Guardiola and Joe Hart continues to widen with reports suggesting the Manchester City goalkeeper will be the subject of a move from Everton to rescue him from his Etihad exile.

England goalkeeper Hart was relegated to the bench for City’s opening day victory against Sunderland with Willy Caballero stepping into the breach, raising suspicion that Guardiola has not been won over by his ability to abide by his instructions.

The 29-year-old is now likely to attract interest from Everton, according to the Daily Mirror, with a place in City’s starting line-up unlikely for the Champions League play-off first-leg tie against Steaua Bucharest on Tuesday evening.

Guardiola is closing in on the capture of Claudio Bravo, 33, the Barcelona goalkeeper, in what is likely to be the final nail in Hart’s coffin on Eastlands.

Meanwhile, Arsenal target Alexandre Lacazette has hinted he may be prepared to leave Lyon and join the Emirates club if they are able to strike up a deal with his club.

The 25-year-old scored scintillating hat-trick against Nancy at the weekend after it was announced last month that the Gunners had failed with a £29m offer for his services.

“If offers come in that one cannot refuse, I don’t want to refuse them. If not, I am happy at Lyon,” Lacazette told Canal+ this weekend.

When asked if he was asked about offers coming in, Lacazette responded with a smile: “Ask the president.”

Manchester United, on the other hand, are closing in on the capture of Jose Fonte as Jose Mourinho eyes more defensive cover.

The Southampton centre-back helped Portugal to win the European Championship this summer and has been a consistent performer for the Saints in recent seasons.

The Manchester Evening News reports that Mourinho has turned to Fonte after learning moves for Leonardo Bonucci and Raphael Varane, of Juventus and Real Madrid respectively, were unlikely to come to fruition.