Hart claims Hargreaves is a 'massive' deal for City

IT IS understood the results of a medical for the 30-year-old midfielder, who was released by Manchester United this summer, were sufficiently positive for dialogue to be opened over terms for Hargreaves to be offered a contract, with those talks now at an advanced stage.

"It would be a massive signing," Hart said. "I saw a lot of him before and how highly he was regarded when he was at Bayern Munich and at Manchester United.

"He is a huge player and if he is fit and part of Manchester City he will be another great signing."

Incentivised

Given Hargreaves' abysmal fitness record, any contract would almost certainly be heavily incentivised, and based on a pay-as-you-play deal.

The former Bayern man has been sidelined for almost three years after operations on both knees to cure a chronic tendinitis problem.

It appeared Hargreaves was in desperate straits when he released several films of himself training on YouTube.

Yet West Brom boss Roy Hodgson was impressed enough to offer a contract and Tottenham and Aston Villa were also said to have made a move.

Should City prove to be his eventual destination, with the added lure of Champions League football, it would represent a staggering turn of events.

"I don't know what to make of it," said Wayne Rooney, a former team-mate for club and country.

"He has been out for a couple of years now, although to be fair to him he has worked really hard, got back last season and played one game but did his hamstring.

"It will be difficult for him to get back to his best, I hope he can."