Bayern Munich have signed a new goalkeeper, likely ending their interest in Manchester City’s Stefan Ortega.
On Friday morning Fabrizio Romano reported that the Bundesliga champions will complete the signing of goalkeeper Daniel Peretz from Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Bayern will pay €5 million (£4.3m) for the Israel international, who will sign a five-year contract at the Allianz Arena.
The 23-year-old will compete with Sven Ulreich for the starting job between the posts as long-term number one Manuel Neuer continues to recover from a broken leg.
Good news for City
The signing is good news for City, as it means Bayern will not continue their pursuit of Ortega.
Reports emerged last week that Bayern were keen to sign City’s number two goalkeeper following the departure of Yann Sommer to Inter Milan.
Ortega was said to be interested by the proposal, as joining Bayern would see him become a regularly starting goalkeeper.
However, Pep Guardiola poured water on the idea of Ortega – a goalkeeper he regards as “exceptional” – leaving at such a late stage in the transfer window.
“It would be a problem to lose him, first for the quality. When we bring him here because [goalkeeping coach] Xabi Mancisidor sent me clips and said he was a ‘keeper we need,” he told reporters last week.
“He played for a team relegated from the Bundesliga and from day one I said what a ‘keeper we have. You know how many saves he makes in important games. We don’t want to lose him.”
Guardiola certainly rates Ortega very highly. According to The Athletic’s City correspondent Sam Lee, the City boss considered instating Ortega as his number one ahead of Ederson towards the end of last season.
Now that Bayern are going to sign Peretz, Guardiola needn’t worry about having any awkward conversations with Ortega.
