Neom SC make late summer transfer move for Manchester City goalkeeper | OneFootball

Saudi Arabian club Neom SC have made a late attempt to secure the services of one of Manchester City’s senior first-team goalkeepers.

Stefan Ortega has been with City since 2022, joining from Arminia Bielefeld and quickly establishing himself as a reliable deputy to Ederson, featuring regularly in domestic cups and becoming a popular figure with fans particularly for defining moments such as his save to deny Heung-min Son en route to the Premier League title in 2024.

The German’s performances at Manchester City to date have made him one of the most respected number-two goalkeepers in European football, and his commitment to Pep Guardiola’s rotation system has not gone unnoticed among rival clubs.

However, the dynamic within City’s goalkeeping department has shifted significantly in recent weeks following the signing of Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain and James Trafford from Burnley.

As such, Stefan Ortega currently finds himself positioned as third-choice in Pep Guardiola’s squad for the new season, raising questions about his long-term future at the Etihad Stadium despite the majority of European leagues’ transfer markets shutting for the summer.

According to the information of The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath, Saudi Arabian side Neom SC have made a late move to sign the Manchester City and Germany international goalkeeper following an injury to summer-signing Marcin Bulka.

However, from the side of the 32-year-old goalkeeper – currently positioned as third-choice between the posts in Pep Guardiola’s set-up – it is not a move Ortega is believed to be pursuing at the moment.

While Stefan Ortega’s current stance appears to be against a move to the Middle-East, the prospect of guaranteed playing time and a lucrative contract may remain tempting before the window fully closes for 2025.

For Manchester City, retaining Ortega provides Guardiola with staggering but perhaps unnecessary depth in the goalkeeping department with Donnarumma, Trafford, and fourth-choice stopper Marcus Bettinelli also at his disposal.

As it stands, Stefan Ortega looks set to remain in Manchester, but with the goalkeeper market proving unpredictable in recent seasons, his future could still be one to watch as the campaign develops and the January market arrives in a few months time.