There was always the risk for Joe Hart that his hastily-arranged loan move from Manchester City to Torino last August would eventually become a case of "out of sight, out of mind."

The coverage that initially followed the England goalkeeper's transfer to Serie A has since subsided and it is only when his City replacement Claudio Bravo makes a mistake, or when international fixtures come around, that the 29-year-old finds himself back in the spotlight.

As England prepare for a friendly against world champions Germany in Dortmund on Wednesday, Hart's return to centre stage has actually preceded the clash against Joachim Low's team, due to two costly errors for Torino during Saturday's 2-2 draw with Inter Milan. But those mistakes have been exception, rather than the rule, during what has been a successful campaign in Turin.

Torino chairman Urbano Cairo has admitted that he would love to sign Hart permanently this summer but also accepts that, financially, any deal will be beyond a club that cannot compete with Italy's elite, never mind Premier League rivals that may regard Hart as the solution to their goalkeeping problems.

However, the problem for Hart is that interest from clubs in his home country is thin on the ground so far. In a recent interview with the BBC, he conceded that he sees no future at City under Pep Guardiola, having not been given a chance to prove himself by the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach.

Wednesday's game against the Germans, who are likely to have Barcelona's Marc-Andre ter Stegen in goal following Manuel Neuer's withdrawal due to injury, offers Hart the opportunity to issue a reminder of his credentials and perhaps tempt interest from a club more in keeping with a goalkeeper, who has won league titles and played in the Champions League.

And it is a chance that Hart needs to take because next season will be crucial for him to ensure he retains the England jersey ahead of a fit-again Jack Butland, who is regarded by many as being destined to claim the No. 1 spot sooner rather than later.

If Wednesday in Dortmund is Hart's "remember me?" moment, what can he expect if, or more likely when, City make him available for sale this summer? Frustratingly for Hart, the top end of the Premier League appears to be a closed shop.

Chelsea are determined to resist Real Madrid's efforts to lure Thibaut Courtois away from Stamford Bridge, but have nonetheless earmarked AC Milan's 18-year-old Gianluigi Donnarumma, rather than Hart, as a potential replacement should the Belgian leave.

Liverpool have consistently denied interest in Hart, with Jurgen Klopp insistent that Loris Karius can eventually become his first choice at Anfield. Meanwhile, Tottenham have one of the best 'in the world in Hugo Lloris and there is little prospect of Manchester United moving for Hart, regardless of David De Gea's future.

Arsenal? The Gunners would appear a good option for Hart, but there is too much uncertainty surrounding Arsene Wenger's future for the club to focus on a new goalkeeper. Even if Wenger remains in charge, he has shown little inclination to go British in goal since David Seaman left the club in 2003.

Everton, West Brom, Stoke, Southampton and most of the clubs in the bottom half of the league are more than happy with their goalkeepers, so Hart may wonder where he can go to be sure of first-team football and, at the same time, cement his grip on the England position.

Around Europe, the top clubs all possess at least one world-class goalkeeper, with Paris Saint-Germain perhaps the one exception; Kevin Trapp highlighted his flaws during the French champions' remarkable 6-1 Champions League defeat against Barcelona recently.

The irony for Hart is that the one major club in Europe with the biggest problem right now in the goalkeeper department is Manchester City. Guardiola admitted earlier this season that Ter Stegen was his top choice, before he eventually signed his Nou Camp teammate Bravo.

Neither he nor Willy Caballero have done enough to suggest that they can make City better defensively and both lack Hart's proven record in England. Hart has also posted some of his best performances in the Champions League, with memorable displays of defiance against Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund, but it counted for nothing with Guardiola.

Thirty next month, Hart is a man in exile, having been driven out of the club that suits him best because he does not match up to his manager's requirements. And, despite his quality and experience, he now faces an uncertain future because so many doors appear to have closed in front of him.

Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC

by MARK OGDEN, SENIOR FOOTBALL WRITER

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