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CLAUD JETS IN

Claudio Bravo to Man City: Barcelona keeper boards plane to Manchester to complete £14.5million move to the Etihad

Pep Guardiola set to land new No1 as out-of-favour Joe Hart slips even further down City pecking order

CLAUDIO BRAVO has arrived in Manchester to complete his £14.5million move to Man City.

Pep Guardiola identified the Barcelona keeper at the man he wants as his Etihad No1 this season.

Claudio Bravo departed Spain for Manchester on Tuesday
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Claudio Bravo departed Spain for Manchester on TuesdayCredit: .
Bravo arrived in Manchester on the afternoon and is expected to undergo a medical at City
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Bravo arrived in Manchester on the afternoon and is expected to undergo a medical at CityCredit: CHRIS NEILL/MAVERICK PHOTOGRAPHY

City agreed a fee and personal terms for the Chile international last week but Barca were reluctant to sign off the deal before they had secured a replacement.

Bravo, 33, played in the La Liga opener against Real Betis on Saturday the Catalan giants are now believed to be on the verge of signing Ajax keeper Jasper Cillessen.

And the former Real Sociedad star was spotted boarding a place in Barcelona on Tuesday morning before he was then snapped leaving Manchester Airport.

City are close to bringing in Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo
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City are close to bringing in Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio BravoCredit: EFE
epa05494424 FC Barcelona¿s Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo (L) saves Sevilla¿s defender Vicente Iborra (R) penalty, during the Spanish Super Cup second leg soccer match between FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC played at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, 17 August 2016. EPA/Quique Garc¿a
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Claudio Bravo saved a penalty during the Spanish Super Cup against SevillaCredit: EFE

It is understood City will confirm the deal - which could rise to £18m - on Wednesday after he undergoes a medical.

Bravo’s arrival is likely to spell the end of Joe Hart’s ten-year stay at the club.

Guardiola has already dumped the England stopper from his starting line-up in favour of Willy Caballero.

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - DECEMBER 10: Jasper Cillessen of Ajax in action during the group A UEFA Europa League match between AFC Ajax and Molde FK held at Amsterdam Arena on December 10, 2015 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
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Barcelona have agreed a fee to sign Jasper Cillessen from Ajax for £12millionCredit: Getty Images
Pep Guardiola wants a goalkeeper who can play out from the back
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Pep Guardiola wants a goalkeeper who can play out from the backCredit: Reuters

And Bravo will take over as first choice – relegating Hart even lower down the pecking order.

The 29-year-old is desperate to get out of City to rescue his Three Lions spot after under new boss Sam Allardyce admitted it would be “difficult to select” him if he was sat on the sidelines.

Everton are favourites for Hart’s signature but City want £30m for him.

 

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