Manchester City present contract offer to first-team star – summer exit still seems ‘inevitable’

Bosses at Manchester City have presented a contract renewal offer to back-up goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, despite a feeling of ‘inevitability’ over a summer exit.

The German goalkeeper is set for a run of games for Pep Guardiola’s squad over the course of the coming weeks following the injury sustained by Ederson against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.

Those opportunities for Ortega begin with an Emirates FA Cup quarter-final tie against Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium, before a mammoth Premier League meeting with Arsenal on the final day of the month.

Such chances in Pep Guardiola’s side come at the perfect time for both Ortega and his representatives, as they continue to weigh up the best possible route for his longer-term future ahead of a crucial summer market for the goalkeeper.

That market will come one year on from Ortega and Manchester City rejecting approaches made by Bayern Munich over the potential signing of his services, while the Premier League champions will be wanting to tie down his future beyond next year.

According to the information of Sky’s Florian Plettenberg, there have been further discussions ‘recently’ between the management of Stefan Ortega and Manchester City officials over a contract extension beyond 2025, but ‘without results’.

Given the recent injury sustained by first-choice Ederson, and the expected lay-off of up to one month, it is claimed that Stefan Ortega’s focus is ‘completely on the next games’ with it being an ‘important phase’ for both himself and the football club.

Additional reporting from the Manchester Evening News’ Simon Bajkowski, Stefan Ortega already has a new deal on the table for him at Manchester City, and the Club would be ‘delighted’ if he signed.

However, it is further explained that there is an acceptance within Manchester City that if Stefan Ortega wants to be a number one choice between the sticks, then a move elsewhere is ‘inevitable’.

Manchester City have seen a number of rising talents in the goalkeeping ranks leave the Etihad Stadium in recent summer markets, largely given the undroppable position of Ederson within Pep Guardiola’s first-team line-up.

James Trafford brought an end to a string of loan spells away from City by joining Premier League newcomers Burnley on a permanent transfer last summer, with the Clarets issuing a transfer fee that could reach as high as £19 million.

Elsewhere, Gavin Bazunu joined Southampton on a permanent agreement one year prior, with the Championship side paying a reported £12 million transfer fee for the Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper.