Torino pushing for Manchester City ace on permanent basis

Torino are making a surprise push to extend Joe Hart’s stay beyond the end of the season and sign the Manchester City loanee permanently, reports Tuttosport, via Football Italia.

Hart, 29, has spent the season on loan at Torino after falling out of favour under Pep Guardiola and the Manchester City manager has no interest in bringing the England international back into his firs-team plans despite their current woes between the sticks.

Torino initially looked to be priced out of any potential deal to retain Hart beyond the end of the current campaign but their president, Urbano Cairo, is reportedly pushing for a permanent deal and hopes to make a breakthrough in negotiations in the coming weeks.

The club’s results may have dipped in recent weeks but Torino are understood to have been impressed with Hart’s attitude and professionalism since he decided to play club football abroad for the first time in his career.

Only Josip Posavec (20) and Andrea Consigli (19) have completed more punches in Serie A this season than Hart (15).

For more stats on Joe Hart, click here to visit his WhoScored player page