Wrighty Wrexham
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Joe Hart is likely to return to City next season - if they reach the Champions League.
But if they finish outside the top four, the Blues will consider allowing the young England international keeper to go out on another season-long loan.
Hart has been on loan at Birmingham all season after being shifted from the number one spot by Shay Given after his arrival in January of last year.
And the loan has been hugely beneficial - 22-year-old Hart has been a key performer for Birmingham and has played himself into contention for an England place in this summer's World Cup in South Africa.
Birmingham jumped the gun last month when they declared that they had first option on loaning Hart for next season after having a bid to sign him on a permanent basis firmly rejected.
A City source revealed that no decisions about Hart's future have been made.
The Blues are unlikely to allow him to go to Birmingham if Alex McLeish is given sufficient funds to allow them to start challenging for the top six next season and thereby rival City's ambitions.
If City do reach the Champions League, they will also want a second front-line keeper, both to register with UEFA and to help share the increased workload which a European campaign brings.
City see Hart as the long-term successor to 33-year-old Given but they will weigh up his future in the summer when all those factors become clearer.
But McLeish has already said he will virtually give up any hopes of landing the 6ft 3ins stopper if City do grab fourth place.
He said: "We intend to speak to Joe, his father and his agent in the coming weeks.
"I believe the club have made contact with City to try to get a meeting to see where they see Joe's future next season.
"It is a massive position for us and that is why I would like to get City's nod of approval for Joe to come again next season."
Hope he comes back!!<br /><br />-- Fri Mar 19, 2010 9:53 am --<br /><br />Should come back even if we only make the Europa League as this competition will also increase the workload!!!
Joe Hart is likely to return to City next season - if they reach the Champions League.
But if they finish outside the top four, the Blues will consider allowing the young England international keeper to go out on another season-long loan.
Hart has been on loan at Birmingham all season after being shifted from the number one spot by Shay Given after his arrival in January of last year.
And the loan has been hugely beneficial - 22-year-old Hart has been a key performer for Birmingham and has played himself into contention for an England place in this summer's World Cup in South Africa.
Birmingham jumped the gun last month when they declared that they had first option on loaning Hart for next season after having a bid to sign him on a permanent basis firmly rejected.
A City source revealed that no decisions about Hart's future have been made.
The Blues are unlikely to allow him to go to Birmingham if Alex McLeish is given sufficient funds to allow them to start challenging for the top six next season and thereby rival City's ambitions.
If City do reach the Champions League, they will also want a second front-line keeper, both to register with UEFA and to help share the increased workload which a European campaign brings.
City see Hart as the long-term successor to 33-year-old Given but they will weigh up his future in the summer when all those factors become clearer.
But McLeish has already said he will virtually give up any hopes of landing the 6ft 3ins stopper if City do grab fourth place.
He said: "We intend to speak to Joe, his father and his agent in the coming weeks.
"I believe the club have made contact with City to try to get a meeting to see where they see Joe's future next season.
"It is a massive position for us and that is why I would like to get City's nod of approval for Joe to come again next season."
Hope he comes back!!<br /><br />-- Fri Mar 19, 2010 9:53 am --<br /><br />Should come back even if we only make the Europa League as this competition will also increase the workload!!!