Manchester City Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Joe Hart and Pablo Zabaleta

Torino goalkeeper Joe Hart has reportedly decided he will not be returning to Manchester City once his loan expires, with the likes of Everton and Sunderland said to be looking at the England international. Meanwhile, Pablo Zabaleta headlines a long list of players set to be axed by manager Pep Guardiola.

According to the Sunday Express' Neil Fissler, Hart is open to the idea of a permanent move abroad, but his first wish would be to return to the Premier League, as he feels he has unfinished business in England.

He won't be returning to City, however, as the Guardiola snub did not sit well with him.

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Guardiola opted to sign Barcelona star Claudio Bravo over going with City's longtime No. 1 during the summer, with the former better suited for his system that requires the goalkeeper to be able to contribute to the buildup play.

Hart was expected to be picked up by another big club but instead joined Italian side Torino, where he has quickly become one of the team's most popular players. The 29-year-old had a shaky start to his Serie A career, but he soon recovered and has been a standout for the Granata since.

Per Sport Witness, the Italian media have been impressed with the work Hart has put in, both on and off the pitch:

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Joe Hart has called Torino a romantic choice, explaining in Italy that he knows the history of the club and was aware of Superga. Since arriving he’s visited the disaster memorial as he works to learn the history of one of football’s most interesting clubs.

His performances, and perhaps even more so his attitude, have gone a long way to making Joe Hart something of an instant cult hero, and when Peter Shilton recently decided to take aim, again, Torino friendly press fired back in support of ‘Our Joe’.

It seems like every day someone in Italy has something nice to say about Manchester City’s outcast and the latest is Stefano Sorrentino, who himself once protected Torino’s goal.

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His fine form hasn't gone unnoticed in England, either. In the FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifier against Slovenia, he put together a masterful performance that saved the Three Lions' blushes against a team they were expected to dominate.

Hart made a handful of key stops, including one incredible reflex save that kept the score at 0-0. Footy Accumulators was impressed:

So was former England international David Seaman:

His strong form may have some fans hoping he could return and battle Bravo for the starting position next season, but, per this latest report, that won't be the case. Everton have the necessary funds to sign the star stopper thanks to owner Farhad Moshiri, and Goodison Park would make a likely destination.

Meanwhile, the Daily Mirror (h/t Manchester Evening News' Alexandra Porter) reported Guardiola isn't planning on making any new signings in January, and he's drawn up a long list of players with expiring contracts who won't be coming back next season.

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The list includes Zabaleta, Jesus Navas, Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, Yaya Toure and Willy Caballero, with Fernandinho the only player offered a new deal.

The three full-backs on that list are the standouts, as Zabaleta, Clichy and Sagna have all been regular contributors so far this season. The position is regarded as the only major weakness the Citizens have, although all three have so far had solid campaigns.

According to Calciomercato (h/t TalkSport), Inter Milan are interested in Zabaleta.