Bayer Leverkusen place Manchester City star on transfer radar – Club left ‘impressed’ by his development | OneFootball

Manchester City may face transfer interest in one of their first-team stars from Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen, according to reports.

The two clubs have been tied to various media reports concerning transfers between the sides over the last few weeks, with claims from Germany speculating on the futures of both head coach Xabi Alonso and Florian Wirtz at Bayer Leverkusen.

Alonso has been mentioned as a potential successor to Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium, with Manchester City officials still awaiting a decision on the future of the 53-year-old with his contract expiring at the end of the ongoing season.

As for Florian Wirtz, the Germany international is widely expected to be at the centre of a big-money transfer battle in the coming summer markets, with Manchester City having been named alongside Real Madrid and Bayern Munich as a potential suitor.

But the latest conversations concerning business between the two clubs has tied one of Manchester City’s prominent first-team stars with interest from the Bundesliga club, as he continues to struggle for consistent opportunities at the Etihad Stadium.

According to the information of Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, while there has not yet been a concrete approach from Bayer Leverkusen for Manchester City’s Stefan Ortega, the goalkeeper has been on their radar for several months.

It is claimed that the Bundesliga giants have been left ‘impressed’ by Ortega’s development at the Etihad Stadium, and should a change take place in goal at the club in the next two transfer windows, Manchester City’s back-up stopper is reportedly an option.

From the side of the 31-year-old at the Etihad Stadium, Plettenberg explains that the picture remains unchanged and Stefan Ortega wants to become the number one choice goalkeeper within Pep Guardiola’s plans, with his existing contract running until 2026.

Ortega has been at the centre of transfer links away from Manchester City almost since joining the club in 2022 from Arminia Bielefeld, and showcasing his outstanding capabilities as a traditional shot-stopper.

Speaking on his future in recent weeks, Ortega was asked how he sees his future playing out to which he responded, “Still in Manchester. I feel very comfortable. At the moment there’s little reason to leave.

“I’ve now played 36 competitive games (at the time of speaking) in two years – not a number for a typical number two. I get a lot of appreciation.”

It is highly unlikely that Manchester City would want to entertain any sale of Stefan Ortega during the upcoming January transfer window, but would not be opposed to allowed the player to leave next summer should he lean towards a proposal from any potential suitor.