Manchester City goalkeeper confirms plans to leave this summer

A change within Manchester City’s goalkeeper union this summer can be expected this summer, on-loan stopper Zack Steffen has revealed in a new interview.

Steffen made the move to Manchester City in the summer of 2019, for a transfer fee understood to be in the region of $7 million, while remaining on-loan with Columbus Crew until the opening of the summer transfer window in MLS.

In July of the same year, Steffen would then be sent on loan to Bundesliga side Fortuna Düsseldorf for the duration of the 2019/20 season, before joining up with the Manchester City squad for the 2020/21 campaign.

After winning a League Cup trophy and back-to-back Premier League titles with City, the search for consistent game time took Steffen away from the Etihad Stadium and a move north to Middlesbrough – where he has been a mainstay in goal this season.

But given his current deal at the Riverside is only one of a temporary nature, the question remains as to what the future holds for Steffen beyond this season, while the player himself appears to have a plan in mind.

Speaking as part of an exclusive interview with The Philadelphia Inquirer, Steffen was quizzed on what the future holds for him beyond his loan spell with Middlesbrough – which expires at the end of the ongoing campaign.

In response, the USA international confirmed his plans to not make a return to the Etihad Stadium, as part of an ongoing quest to secure more consistent game-time as a number one choice between the sticks.

“I don’t think I’ll go back (to Manchester City),” said Steffen.

“No, I want to be playing. Although I had a great time at City and I love those guys, and obviously (it’s) an amazing club, I don’t really have any plans to go back.”

Manchester City secured the services of a brand new number two in goal during the previous summer transfer window, signing German goalkeeper Stefan Ortega Moreno on a free transfer from Arminia Bielefeld.

Moreno has adopted a very similar role, playing the large majority of his minutes in domestic Cup competitions, but having impressed many supporters with his shot-stopping ability to compliment an adequate on-the-ball skill level.