Manchester City chase German goalkeeper

 

Manchester City are not stopping at anything in their bid to defend their Premier League title and win the elusive UEFA Champions League title. Reports indicate that the Premier League Champions have now shown interest in Arminia Bielefeld’s Goalkeeper Stefan Ortega.

Pep Guardiola considers the 29-year-old as a potential backup to Ederson. It seems like a pretty easy deal after Bielefeld’s relegation from the Bundesliga last season and the fact that the goalkeeper is out of contract and available for free.

Manchester City’s current backup goalkeeper Zack Steffen recently signed a contract extension till 2025, but Ortega is considered a better backup as he is comfortable with the ball at his feet while he was also previously considered by Bayern Munich as a deputy for Manuel Neuer.

Ortega was in Germany’s standby squad for Euro 2020, and he played all of Arminia Bielefeld’s Bundesliga games last season except one due to coronavirus.

Manchester City recently sold Ireland international Gavin Bazunu to Southampton for £12m ($14.6m), while Zack Steffen made a huge error leading to a goal in the FA Cup semi-final loss to Liverpool last season.

He is also battling Arsenal’s new recruit, Matt Turner, for the United States Of America’s number one spot for the national team ahead of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in November.

Ederson, who is the first choice at the Etihad Stadium, signed a contract extension till 2026, while the third choice keeper Scott Carson will remain at the club for another year after signing a 12-month contract to remain at the city of Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City has already enforced their frontline with Norwegian forward Erling Haaland, whom they have signed from Borussia Dortmund.

The striker follows in the footsteps of his father, Alf-ing Haaland, who played for the Etihad Stadium side.

Manchester City won the Premier League last season.

 

Written by:  Daniel Ademiju Idowu