Manchester City have just dropped a big hint on the future of one of their players who wanted to leave the club on deadline day.
The final day of the summer transfer window was a busy one at the Etihad Stadium, as Man City signed Gianluigi Donnarumma from PSG, who replaces Ederson in Pep Guardiola’s squad after the Brazilian decided to start a new chapter in his career with Fenerbahce.
Manuel Akanji also left Man City to join Inter Milan, while fans of the Manchester club had to say goodbye to club legend Ilkay Gundogan again, as the midfielder has completed a dream move to Galatasaray.
Not everyone got the move they wanted on deadline day, but with some transfer windows still open, Man City have just provided a big hint on the future of one of their players.
Stefan Ortega claps to the fans after Manchester City v Aston Villa.
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Stefan Ortega included in Man City’s Champions League squad
Manchester City have announced their squad for the league phase of the Champions League, confirming that they have submitted their List A and List B to UEFA.
Guardiola has chosen the following players: Donnarumma, Trafford, Ortega Moreno, Bettinelli; Nunes, Stones, Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol, Ake, Ait-Nouri; Rodri, Kovacic, Nico, Reijnders, Bernardo, Foden, Cherki; Savinho, Doku, Bobb, Marmoush, Haaland.
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While Rico Lewis and Nico O’Reilly are included in List B, which can be submitted no later than 23:00 (UK time), the day before each match.
BREAKING: #ManCity’s #UCL List A squad. ⤵️
Donnarumma, Trafford, Ortega Moreno, Bettinelli; Nunes, Stones, Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol, Ake, Ait-Nouri; Rodri, Kovacic, Nico, Reijnders, Bernardo, Foden, Cherki; Savinho, Doku, Bobb, Marmoush, Haaland.
Note: Rico Lewis and Nico…
— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) September 2, 2025
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The biggest surprise in the list is the inclusion of a player Guardiola once described as “incredible”, Stefan Ortega, who was hoping to leave Man City on deadline day.
It was also reported after the European market shut that Trabzonspor are now exploring a deal to sign Ortega, but his inclusion in City’s Champions League squad hints that the German is staying until at least January.
Clubs that wanted Stefan Ortega during the transfer window
Ortega had several opportunities to leave Man City during the transfer window, but the 32-year-old took the chance to take his future to deadline day, which has not paid off.
Fenerbahce were one club that offered Ortega the chance to leave Manchester, while there were also options to remain in the Premier League, with newly promoted Sunderland and Burnley showing interest in the German star.
However, Ortega only wanted to leave Man City for an opportunity that excited him, but that did not arrive, hence why he is now the third-choice goalkeeper in Guardiola’s squad.