A reliable source has revealed how Stefan Ortega, the goalkeeper for Manchester City, feels about the Saudi Pro League team NEOM SC’s interest in him. After winning the First Division title the previous season, NEOM was promoted to the Saudi top flight. In an attempt to compete in the Pro League, they have subsequently added players like Marcin Bułka, Saïd Benrahma, Abdoulaye Doucoure, and Alexandre Lacazette.
NEOM has defeated Damac 2-1 and fallen short against Al-Ahli 1-0 so far this season. After a €15 million transfer from Nice, Bulka became their new goalkeeper in July, although he has subsequently had to have surgery for an ACL rupture. Since Bulka is anticipated to miss most of the campaign, NEOM executives have been compelled to look for a substitute.
Mike McGrath of The Telegraph claims that NEOM has “made a move” to try to capture Ortega in a last-minute raid. The summer transfer market is still open in Saudi Arabia until Tuesday, September 23, even though it has ended for almost all other European teams.
Neom SC make late summer transfer move for Manchester City goalkeeper
NEOM has approached Man City to see if a contract can be reached because they are huge fans of Ortega. But from the perspective of the 32-year-old goalie, who is now Pep Guardiola’s third choice between the posts, Ortega is reportedly not chasing the transfer at this time.
Even though Stefan Ortega seems to be opposed to moving to the Middle East at the moment, the promise of a lucrative contract and guaranteed playing time can still be alluring before the 2025 transfer window completely closes.
The decision to keep Ortega gives Manchester City’s goalkeepers Donnarumma, Trafford, and fourth-choice stopper Marcus Bettinelli, giving Guardiola incredible but somewhat superfluous depth.
Although Stefan Ortega appears to be staying in Manchester for the time being, his future may still be something to keep an eye on as the season progresses and the January market approaches in a few months due to the goalkeeper market’s unpredictability in recent seasons.
