Manchester City have some big-hitters in their squad, but Stefan Ortega Moreno is also hugely important and the club cannot lose him this summer amid fresh exit talk.
It was suggested yesterday that the German stopper may be on the summer at the end of the season after two terms at the Etihad Stadium.
Ortega signed for City after running down his contract at Arminia Bielefeld, with his move not really prompting a major reaction at the time.
But it was an absolutely inspired signing by the club, with Ortega making important contributions last term in the Treble-winning season. Especially in the FA Cup, in which he played every game and conceded only once.
He’s the number two, but just because he’s not the regular goalkeeper for City doesn’t mean he’s not vital, and the club now need to be trying to make some progress on a new contract for the star…
Manchester City should be trying to avoid Stefan Ortega exit this summer
Over the past six months or so, there have been reports that Ortega is a possible transfer target for Bayern Munich.
Perhaps such a transfer link was inevitable given Bayern are the biggest club in Ortega’s homeland.
Manuel Neuer is 37 now and the Bavarian giants do need to be thinking about securing a long-term replacement for him.
It is no surprise they would want Ortega, who has shown himself to be a great goalkeeper during his time at City.
He’s only made 21 first-team appearances for the club, but Ortega often impressed when he is called upon by Pep Guardiola.
Ortega has kept 10 clean sheets across those 21 games, and the drop-off from Ederson really isn’t that great when he’s between the sticks. He plays in the same way as the Brazilian, albeit a little slower, and allows City to build from the back.
While being linked with Bayern, there have also been reports of City wanting to tie him down to a new contract – and this is something they need to be making progress on.
Ultimately, Ortega is a fantastic backup who not only performs when he comes in – he provides Ederson with the push he needs to be better. That is hugely important, and would be fairly tricky to replace. Ortega’s level is not lost on Ederson himself, with the star branding his teammate ‘quality’ last season.
In the summer Ortega – who’s one of the more ‘modest’ earners at City on £55,000-a-week – will only have one year left on his contract so ideally the club will agree a new deal for the 31-year-old fairly soon.
But of course, there is the possibility of Ortega fancying his chances of becoming a number one at another club, and City may ultimately be unable to agree fresh terms.
With that in mind, executives need to do their absolutely utmost to give Ortega a reason to stay. Perhaps the way to do this would be to give him a salary increase.
