Leicester City are plotting a shock move for Manchester City keeper Joe Hart, with the Premier League champions fearing that Kasper Schmeichel will return to the Etihad Stadium, according toThe Sun.
Hart is currently on loan at Torino after being informed by Pep Guardiola that he does not figure prominently in his plans for City in the coming seasons.
Although the England international has not confirmed his own plans for next season, it is believed that - for the benefit of his international career - Hart may favour a return to the Premier League.
Leicester City want to sign England and Manchester City goalkeeper keeper Joe Hart.
It's today's gossip: https://t.co/qJBqZelR7w pic.twitter.com/Lx8epWPmLD
Leicester are keen admirers of Hart and believe the 29-year-old is the ideal replacement for Schmeichel, should he be tempted into returning to the club he left in 2009.
The report claims a swap deal - an extremely rare occurrence in the modern transfer market - is a possibility as Guardiola accelerates his search to strengthen his goalkeeper department.
The former Barcelona boss signed Claudio Bravo in the summer, with the view that the Chilean fits into his manager's philosophy of distributing quick, smart passes from the back to instigate attacking moves.
However, a string of high-profile errors - including a red card against his former club Barcelona in the Champions League - have cast serious doubt over his suitability.
In addition, Guardiola is wary that Willy Caballero will most likely leave City in the summer when his contract expires, meaning the recruitment of a new goalkeeper is high on the manager's priority list.
According to the report, Tottenham are also thought to be interested in signing Hart and may rival Leicester for his signature.