Premier League interest in Manchester City goalkeeper denied

Manchester City will not be fielding interest in first-team goalkeeper Stefan Ortega from one particular Premier League club this summer, according to reports.

As City weigh up several potential changes to their goalkeeping department this summer, Ortega’s name has consistently been discussed both internally and externally as a possible name subject to an alteration.

The German goalkeeper is now into the final 12 months of his contract at the Etihad Stadium, and while the club would ideally like to retain his services, Ortega himself is known to be open to becoming a number one elsewhere if the opportunity arises.

Talk surrounding Ortega’s future intensified earlier this week when it was reported by talkSPORT’s Ben Jacobs and Alex Crook that Burnley were among the clubs keeping an eye on his situation.

The link made sense on paper, with Turf Moor officials preparing for the possible departure of England goalkeeper James Trafford, and Ortega would no doubt have brought a winning pedigree to the Lancashire club ahead of their Premier League return.

However, Manchester City’s own reported interest in Trafford complicated the picture further, with suggestions that a goalkeeper merry-go-round could follow depending on how Ederson’s future resolves.

Now, despite Stefan Ortega into the final year of his Manchester City contract and recent reports linking him with interest from Burnley, the Manchester Evening News’ Tyrone Marshall clarifies that Turf Moor bosses do not intend to try and sign the German goalkeeper.

This clarification removes at least one potential domino from the complex puzzle facing City’s goalkeeper unit this summer. While Ortega is admired across the English top-flight, and his performances when deputising for Ederson have turned heads, Burnley are focused on other options should Trafford move on.

For City, the situation with Ortega is finely poised. The club are happy to keep him as part of their squad rotation and cup competition plans, but any formal desire from the player to become a first-choice keeper could lead to new negotiations.

As previously reported, interest in Ortega could still emerge from Germany or elsewhere in Europe, particularly if a vacancy appears among UEFA competition-level clubs. At the same time, the future of Ederson remains under scrutiny.

With Galatasaray and Saudi Arabian clubs retaining an interest in signing the Brazilian and Manchester City internally planning for every eventuality, significant developments could start to take place as early as this week.

What happens next may depend on whether Stefan Ortega signals intent to move on, or if he is willing to compete for game time for one more season in sky blue.