Genoa in contact with Manchester City over January transfer for Treble-winner | OneFootball

Manchester City could be closing in on an arrangement that will see one member of their Treble-winning squad leave the club this month.

The goalkeeping department at the Etihad Stadium was placed under assessment prior to the start of the season, in a summer reshuffle that saw Ederson depart and Gianluigi Donnarumma arrive as the club’s new first-choice, with James Trafford swiftly installed as No.2 and pushing for regular opportunities.

Since then, Stefan Ortega’s situation has been building towards a decisive point, with the German international expected to leave the club on a free transfer in the summer of 2026 when his contract expires at the very latest.

But recently there has been growing belief that an earlier exit could suit all parties as the player goes in search of a more prominent role, while Manchester City are conscious of managing balance and harmony within their goalkeeping group.

That sense of movement was reinforced earlier this month when it emerged that Ortega was holding “explorative talks” with multiple clubs, according to one report. Manager Pep Guardiola has repeatedly praised the goalkeeper’s professionalism, but with Donnarumma firmly established and Trafford central to plans, Ortega’s path appears increasingly narrow.

Now, according to the information of Calciomercato’s Daniele Longo, Serie A side Genoa ‘like’ Stefan Ortega, and are said to be in contact with Manchester City over the player.

Serie A has long been a natural destination for experienced footballers, and a switch to Italy could provide Ortega with both regular football and a fresh challenge at this stage of his career.

From Manchester City’s perspective, a January exit for Ortega could make strategic sense, avoiding the risk of losing the player for nothing later in the year and creating further clarity in a department that has already undergone major change.

For Ortega, the coming days could prove decisive and should Genoa’s interest develop into a formal proposal that satisfies City, a deal could be struck relatively swiftly.