Aston Villa are considering a bid to sign Stefan Ortega from Manchester City to replace Emi Martinez, according to TBR Football.
In what was a testament to the truly stellar work done by Unai Emery since his arrival at Villa Park, Aston Villa qualified for European football last season for the third successive year, securing their place in the 2025/26 Europa League as Emery aims to continue his impressive work in the Midlands.
To bolster their squad, Aston Villa have made three key additions at the time of writing. Exciting striker Evann Guessand has signed from Nice, whilst Villa have also signed Marco Bizot as a second-choice goalkeeper and defender Yasin Ozcan.
Villa have also had to manage some departures from their squad, such as the sale of youth academy product Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle United. Not only that, but long-serving goalkeeper Emi Martinez has reportedly agreed terms with Manchester United as the Argentine looks to leave the club before the transfer window slams shut.
In preparing for Martinez's departure, Villa are monitoring Porto number one Diogo Costa as one of many goalkeeping targets and could, if recent reports prove correct, look to sign this solid Premier League shot-stopper as a replacement.
Villa Considering Bid For Ortega
ortega
TBR Football have reported that Stefan Ortega is a player of interest to Villa, one they are monitoring in the case of Martinez's departure. Now 32 years old, Ortega signed for Manchester City in 2022 and has served as a brilliant second option, performing admirably whenever he has been called into the team and being part of the squad that won a European treble in the 2022/23 season.
Given his status as second choice, the signing of James Trafford and City's pursuit of Gianluigi Donnarumma suggests that minutes will be even harder to come by for Ortega, which could see the German international seek a move to find first-team football.
A reliable shot-stopper who has even been called "world-class," Ortega could feasibly spend years between the sticks at Villa Park, given that goalkeepers can often play to an older age than outfield players. As shown in the games he has featured in for the Sky Blues, Ortega would be a reliable pair of hands for the Villans and one who, presumably, would not have a staggering price tag over his head.
Whether a deal is ultimately agreed before the transfer deadline remains to be seen, but Ortega would be a solid addition for Emery's side.
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