Manchester City goalkeeper holding ‘explorative talks’ over Etihad Stadium exit this month | OneFootball

An exit could take place this month from within Manchester City’s first-team goalkeeping department, according to new developments.

Attention has increasingly turned toward City’s depth behind Gianluigi Donnarumma following Pep Guardiola’s recent insistence that James Trafford will not be allowed to leave during the January transfer window.

That stance effectively narrowed the focus of any potential movement to Stefan Ortega Moreno, whose long-term future at the Etihad Stadium has been uncertain for some time, and particularly since the reshuffle of the summer.

Ortega – a key member of City’s historic Treble-winning squad and the securing of a record-breaking fourth Premier League title win in a row – has found opportunities extremely limited since Donnarumma’s arrival and Trafford’s permanent return to the club.

Despite delivering reliable performances when called upon across domestic competitions over the last few seasons, the German international goalkeeper has been unable to dislodge City’s established hierarchy and is entering the final months of his contract.

Previous reports have suggested Guardiola would be open to Ortega’s departure, while other claims have pointed towards Celtic’s interest in signing Ortega on a free transfer in the summer, while others have indicated Premier League and European sides monitoring his situation closely.

Now, according to the information of The Athletic’s Jordan Campbell, Stefan Ortega is currently having ‘explorative talks’ with several clubs, and should a suitable offer arrive, the German could leave this month rather than in the summer when his contract ends.

Such a scenario would represent a notable shift in Manchester City’s short-term planning but would align with Pep Guardiola’s recent public comments. Speaking ahead of the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Brentford, the City manager made clear his desire to retain Trafford through January – leaving Ortega as the most realistic candidate for a mid-season exit.

Allowing Ortega to depart now could avoid losing him for nothing in 2026, while also clarifying the goalkeeping structure for the remainder of the season. Any move, however, would be contingent on City’s comfort with Trafford assuming undisputed No.2 status.

As the window progresses, Ortega’s talks are expected to remain exploratory rather than advanced. Whether that develops into a formal bid may ultimately depend on market movement elsewhere, but the direction of travel is becoming clearer.