When Will Manchester City Complete The Signing Of Stefan Ortega?

While Manchester City’s interest in Stefan Ortega has seemingly come out of nowhere, it is clear that a deal has been in the works for a significant period of time.

The aforementioned claim adds up as it has been previously reported that the 29-year old had rejected offers from Germany and Spain to sign for the English heavyweights.

Additionally, the now Manchester City-bound goalkeeper all but confirmed the move by sending an emotional farewell message to Arminia Bielefeld via Instagram this week.

Elsewhere on the goalkeeping front at the Etihad Stadium, Zack Steffen is set to join Middlesbrough on a season-long loan, meaning the German has the all-clear to become the new back-up to Ederson.

Zack Steffen in Manchester City action.

It has also been recently mentioned that the highly-rated shot-stopper is set for his medical in Manchester as soon as this week.

With all these factors pointing to Stefan Ortega donning sky blue imminently, a fresh update reveals when the transfer is set to get over the line.

According to a report from the Manchester Evening News, Manchester City will complete Stefan Ortega’s signing once his deal with Arminia Bielefeld.

This is set to expire on Thursday, meaning the player will then be free to put pen to paper on his new deal with the Premier League champions shortly after.

Manchester City will also be signing the German stopper on a free transfer, which is a further bonus that adds to the positivity around the move.

Stefan Ortega in action in the Bundesliga. dpa picture alliance / Alamy

Ultimately, it is also believed that all parties surrounding Zack Steffen feel he requires a ‘new challenge’.

The American goalkeeper's worryingly poor display against Liverpool in the 3-2 FA Cup semi-final defeat last term is what led many within the club to question whether he could continue his role as the number two behind Ederson.

The fans were far from impressed as well, as Steffen’s below par shotstopping, coupled with his indecisive distribution, made for an arguably shambolic showing at Wembley Stadium.

On the other end of the spectrum, Stefan Ortega seems to tick every box required to become the archetypal Pep Guardiola goalkeeper, which makes his imminent arrival a welcome one.

Aside from being an excellent shotstopper, the German ranks in the top 1% for touches amongst ‘keepers in the top five European leagues, which is a sign of how effortlessly brilliant he is in possession.

As a result, it is unsurprising that Manchester City have operated in silence to have a clear run at signing a potentially understated gem in the game.

Stefan Ortega in action for Arminia Bielefeld.

Stefan Ortega’s coup looks ready to be completed in the coming week, as he is set to join Julian Alvarez from River Plate and Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund as the club’s latest additions.

Also, Kalvin Phillips’ signing looks as if it only requires an official confirmation from both clubs, while Manchester City are directing their efforts to land Marc Cucurella from Brighton to cap off a fruitful summer.