Manchester City transfer news: Claudio Bravo deal imminent as keeper flies to Manchester ahead of medical

It was originally believed that the transfer would not be processed until Thursday but Bravo has flown in to finalise the personal terms of his deal

Samuel Lovett
Tuesday 23 August 2016 15:28 BST
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Claudio Bravo will join from Barcelona for a transfer fee believed to be in the region of £17m
Claudio Bravo will join from Barcelona for a transfer fee believed to be in the region of £17m (Getty)

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Claudio Bravo has flown into Manchester to finalise the personal terms of his new deal at Pep Guardiola's City, reports suggest.

It was originally believed that the transfer, alleged to be in the region of £17m, would not be processed until Thursday but Bravo has flown in from Spain ahead of a medical with the club.

The 33-year-old is expected to sign a three-year deal at the Etihad Stadium worth £100,000-a-week and will be installed as City’s No.1 keeper, ahead of Willy Caballero and former first-team choice Joe Hart.

Asked about the potential deal on Tuesday, City boss Guardiola did not rebut the suggestion that it was in the pipeline, but would not be drawn further.

"I cannot deny what everyone knows," said Guardiola.

"I am sorry guys. When the deal is complete or not complete, after I will be open to answer about one player. At the moment, he is not our player."

Guardiola has traditionally entrusted his goalkeepers with an instrumental role in the team’s build-up play, like he did at both Bayern Munich and Barcelona.

Having allegedly deemed Hart unsuitable for such a role, Guardiola has instead turned to Bravo who it’s hoped will form an integral part of his new revolution at the Manchester club.

Claudio Bravo recently won the Copa America with Chile
Claudio Bravo recently won the Copa America with Chile (Getty)

Bravo has impressed during his stint at Barcelona and will take on a more active role in distributing and dictating play from in behind the City backline.

Barcelona are expected to replace him with Jasper Cillessen who joins from Ajax.

Hart’s own future now hangs in the balance after Everton withdrew their interest in the England international. After being told he can leave the Etihad, the 29-year-old now has eight days to find himself a new club as the transfer window nears to a close.

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