Ronald Koeman insists Everton have ‘no interest’ in Joe Hart

Everton manager Ronald Koeman shut down talk of a move for England goalkeeper Joe Hart in three simple words on Thursday.

Hart is set to leave Manchester City having been reduced to a fringe role with the club since Pep Guardiola’s arrival as coach and he made what appeared to be his farewell against in the Champions League qualifier Steaua Bucharest.

But despite Hart’s goodbyes to the Etihad Stadium crowd, his next destination seems hard to discern.

The Toffees were strongly linked with a move but when asked about the player, Koeman said emphatically: “There’s no interest.”

There have been reports that the goalkeeper’s wages have proved off-putting, but Koeman appeared to deny that when questioned if the England international had ever appealed.

“No…no,” he said, leaving no room for doubt.

Koeman’s unequivocal response on Hart was at odds with his wider outlook on the final week of the transfer window.

With incomings almost a certainty at Goodison Park and further outgoings also likely – James McCarthy and Bryan Oviedo having this week been linked with departures – the Dutchman preferred not to deal in specifics.