Manchester City’s backup goalkeeper, Stefan Ortega, appears to be setting his sights on a new adventure in the Bundesliga.
Stefan Ortega Eyes Move to Bayer Leverkusen
The 31-year-old German shot-stopper, who has been with City since the summer of 2022, is reportedly keen on a move to Bayer Leverkusen, the reigning Bundesliga champions.
Ortega’s time at Manchester City has seen him play second fiddle to first-choice ‘keeper Ederson.
Despite his role as a backup, Ortega has managed to make 38 appearances across all competitions, impressively keeping 19 clean sheets.
However, the lure of more regular first-team football seems to be drawing him back to his homeland.
According to sources, Ortega is highly intrigued by the prospect of joining Xabi Alonso’s squad at Leverkusen.
The German outlet BILD suggests that Leverkusen’s search for a new goalkeeper has led them to consider both Ortega and Jonas Urbig of Cologne as potential replacements for their current number one, Lucas Hradecky.
Ortega’s contract with Manchester City has 18 months remaining, but the possibility of a move to Leverkusen is said to be quite tempting for the former Arminia Bielefeld player.
The allure of playing under Alonso and the chance to compete for the Bundesliga title with Leverkusen are compelling factors that might influence his decision.
Off the pitch, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is focused on navigating his team through the group stages of the Champions League.
However, the potential departure of Ortega and the ongoing rumors about Ederson’s future, with a possible move to Saudi Arabia, might necessitate some strategic planning for City’s goalkeeping options.
For Ortega, a move to Leverkusen represents not just a return to Germany, but an opportunity to reignite his career with regular first-team action in a competitive league.
As the January transfer window approaches, City fans will be watching closely to see whether their reliable second-choice goalkeeper makes the switch to Bayer Leverkusen, adding another twist to the ever-intriguing world of football transfers.
