Manchester City are closing in on the signing of Stefan Orteta this summer and Simon Jones of Mail Online says Zach Steffen will be granted a departure after the move is completed.
The 27-year-old wants more first-team football ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and needs to be playing regularly to stand a chance of making the USMNT squad.
Steffen joined City from Columbus Crew in 2019 and has gone on to make 21 appearances in all competitions, conceding 16 goals with eight clean sheets. The US international is playing second fiddle to Ederson and hasn’t always impressed when given an opportunity.
Steffen could be moved on and replaced by Ortega who’s available on a free transfer this summer after leaving Arminia Bielefeld. The 6ft 1in goalkeeper made 35 appearances in his final season at the Bielefelder Alm, conceding 59 goals with six clean sheets.
Ortega is only two years Steffen’s senior, but he seems happy to be Ederson’s deputy next season. The uncapped German shot-stopper is unlikely to rack up many games in 2022/23, but Pep Guardiola could use him for domestic cup competitions. Time will tell.
In other news, Liam Delap could leave Man City this summer after Pep Guardiola decision
Peps history of playing the second choice keeper in domestic cup competitions will continue whether it is Steffen or Ortega.