Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has claimed that dispensing with the services of Joe Hart was the "toughest decision" that he has had to make as a manager.
The England goalkeeper saw his undisputed tenure as Man City's number one custodian come to an abrupt end in the summer of 2016 when Guardiola took the reins at the Etihad Stadium.
Underwhelming loan spells at Torino and West Ham United followed for Hart, while Man City utilised Claudio Bravo and Willy Caballero last season before signing Brazil keeper Ederson, who has made the jersey his own.
"I think it was the toughest decision I ever made as a manager [to let him go]," Guardiola told reporters after City's 4-1 win over Hart's current loan club. "Because he is an incredible professional when we worked together and there are no doubts about his quality.
"I don't know what happens in that situation, I think West Ham is going to talk with the club, he is our player and if he is not going to continue here [West Ham] next season I don't know, now is the first I am hearing that information. We are going to speak with the club and take the right decision, especially for him."
Hart's Man City contract runs until the end of the 2018-19 season.
Giuseppe Labellarte
