A new twist has emerged at Manchester City on Deadline Day as a player Pep Guardiola once labelled “exceptional” is now expected to remain at the Etihad Stadium.
The main focus of the Premier League giants on the final day of the transfer window is to sort out the goalkeeper situation in Guardiola’s squad, while also trimming the numbers, something the Spaniard has been very clear about.
Man City are very close to signing Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain before the transfer window shuts, who is set to replace Ederson in Manchester as the Brazilian is closing in on a move to Fenerbahce.
A new twist has emerged regarding the 32-year-old’s exit, which is believed to have stemmed from Stefan Ortega turning down offers to leave the Etihad Stadium.
Stefan Ortega claps to the fans after Manchester City v Aston Villa.
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Stefan Ortega is expected to stay at Manchester City
Ortega had been tipped to leave Man City all summer, and the chances of that happening increased after James Trafford was added to Guardiola’s squad.
Fenerbahce had an interest in Ortega, while there were even reports that the Man City star was open to joining Man United ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
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The Daily Mail is now reporting that the German is expected to stay at Man City beyond Deadline Day after rejecting several moves over the summer.
“Hearing of a twist which has contributed to the Fenerbahce deal for Ederson,” Jack Gaughan reported. “Manchester City’s current third-choice goalkeeper, Stefan Ortega, is believed to have turned down the Turkish giants during this window. And now they’ve agreed a £12m switch for the Brazilian.”
“Ortega has rejected several different offers over the summer. And those include promoted clubs Burnley and Sunderland.
“Unless something drastic changes before 7pm, Ortega will be remaining with City until January at least. He has only wanted to move if it felt right after the arrival of James Trafford.”
Stefan Ortega has harmed his World Cup chances
Guardiola believes Ortega is an “exceptional” goalkeeper, and the 32-year-old has proven this throughout his time at the Etihad Stadium.
The German star has every right to remain at City, but with Donnarumma and Trafford ahead of him in the pecking order, being third choice in Manchester could be detrimental to his chances of going to the World Cup with his country next summer.
Understandably, Ortega may not want to step down to a newly promoted club having been at Man City, but that would have benefited the goalkeeper more, and he could have even signed a short-term deal.
The 32-year-old’s decision to stay at the Manchester club does not make much sense, and it remains to be seen how his situation plays out once January arrives.