Man City transfer news: Bayer Leverkusen considering move for goalkeeper?

Manchester City may reportedly face a fight to fend off interest in one of their goalkeepers from Bayer Leverkusen.

The Premier League champions have been blessed with having each of Ederson and Stefan Ortega as their senior options since 2022.

Little was initially made of the latter leaving Arminia Bielefeld for the Etihad Stadium at the time, yet he has since emerged as one of the best backup goalkeepers in world football.

However, that has threatened City’s chances of keeping both goalkeepers happy in the long term, particularly Ortega who has generally impressed during his 38 appearances in all competitions.

Pep Guardiola is currently facing the prospect of each stopper becoming available for transfer next summer with their respective contracts expiring in 2026.

That will inevitably lead to widespread interest in their signatures should they not agree to extending their terms over the coming months.

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Leverkusen still keen on Ortega?

With Ortega having performed well enough to be considered as a number one elsewhere, City will be bracing themselves for proposals coming their way.

According to Sky Deutschland journalist Florian Plettenberg, the 31-year-old remains on their radar ahead of the upcoming transfer windows.

Plettenberg adds that a move will only become a possibility if Xabi Alonso or a potential successor choose to tinker with the goalkeeping department.

Lukas Hradecky – the club captain – and Matej Kovar are the current options, the latter seemingly viewed as a potential future successor to Hradecky who is a decade older.

Hradecky’s contract is due to expire in 2026, with Czech Republic international Kovar tied to Leverkusen for an extra year.

Ortega’s priority, as it stands, is to extend with City and become first choice, yet that will be dependent on how the English giants resolve Ederson’s future.

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Saudi Arabia a possibility

Both Guardiola and Ederson have acknowledged in recent months that there was a lucrative offer on the table for the Brazil international, the assumption being that it came from Saudi Arabia.

At the time, none of the clubs from the Saudi Pro League presented a bid that City deemed to be acceptable, but that may change if Ederson reaches the final 12 months of his contract.

With Ederson potentially being open to a fresh challenge after entering his eighth season at City, Ortega may choose to bide his time.

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