According to reports in the Evening Standard, West Ham United are keen on signing out-of-favour Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart this summer, but would prefer a loan rather than an £18m permanent deal as they are unwilling to meet his current £120,000-a-week wages.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the Evening Standard suggests that Irons boss Slaven Bilic is clearly keen to sign a new stopper having dropped both Adrian and Darren Randolph last season following mistakes and poor form, and the Croatian manager has his eyes on Hart.

The England international doesn’t feature in Pep Guardiola’s plans at the Etihad and spent last term on loan at Serie A outfit Torino, but he won’t be moving to Italy on a permanent basis.

Hart has been pushed even further down the pecking order with City after they signed Ederson from Benfica for £34.7m earlier this month, and is waiting for offers from interested clubs as he looks to secure a permanent move away.

The fact that he would cost £18m and is currently on around £120,000-a-week may put a deal in doubt though, unless the 30-year-old reduces his demands or City pay part of his wages.

Would he be a good signing for the Irons?

Even though he has come under criticism in recent years – and especially for some of his performances for his country – there is no doubt that Hart has shown what a great goalkeeper he is over the years and that he still has plenty to offer.

His showing against Scotland on Saturday may have reduced his chances of being Gareth Southgate’s first choice ahead of next summer’s 2018 World Cup, and he will know that he needs to be on top of his game if he does move this summer – something that would only benefit West Ham.

Would he be an upgrade on Randolph and Adrian?

Judging by his form in recent seasons it’s difficult to say, but of course during the course of his career and what he has achieved that he should be a class above.

What’s the verdict, then?

Well, while West Ham would prefer a loan deal it remains to be seen whether Manchester City would be willing to do that considering they would ideally like to sell Hart on a permanent basis.

With wages also being an issue, this saga could rumble on for a while yet.

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