The January transfer window will be on Manchester City’s radar for a number of reasons.
Manchester City could be internally assessing where they can strengthen their squad in the winter window to ensure their squad is in the best possible position to triumph on multiple fronts this season.
If Pep Guardiola’s plan is not to extend his contract beyond 2025, it will be interesting to see how the club tackles the January transfer window.
On one hand, it could be argued that Manchester City should stray clear from signing and selling players in January as the future manager might view the club’s squad in a different light.
However, City would like for the £378,846-a-week manager to leave on a high if the ongoing campaign is indeed his last season and allow him to sign and sell players based on how he sees fit.
Recently, a player whose future has come under speculation is Stefan Ortega, who signed a two-year contract extension until 2026 in the summer.
Clinton Morrison described Ortega as an “outstanding goalkeeper” and as he is into his third season at Manchester City, it is tough to dispute such praise.
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On Thursday, it was claimed that Ortega would consider a summer exit from Manchester City if he continues to play second fiddle to Ederson Moraes this season.
The report further revealed that the 31-year-old has his sights set on becoming Germany’s first-choice goalkeeper after Manuel Neuer’s retirement from international football and Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s knee injury.
After Manchester City’s 3-2 victory against Fulham, Pep Guardiola admitted Ederson’s potential exit in the summer worried him as he continues to value him very highly.
Jeremy Doku lauded Ederson’s performance against Fulham and claimed that he has full trust in his teammate, who he described as a “very reliable goalkeeper.”
The £100,000-a-week man continues to gain the full trust of his teammates and the manager at the Etihad Stadium.
However, Ederson’s status at the club puts Ortega’s future in jeopardy as he seems to be weighing up an exit from City.
It has been reported by Manchester World journalist Michael Plant that Manchester City will not even entertain any offers for the German in the January transfer window.
The report also mentions that the “complicated nature” of the winter window would mean City would be reluctant to sell a player of the former Arminia Bielefeld goalkeeper’s importance.
The summer of 2025 seems a far likelier period for Ortega to be sold if the club and the player decide to part ways.
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What Pep Guardiola said about Stefan Ortega recently
After Manchester City beat Fulham, Pep Guardiola emphasised how important Ortega is to his side as he pushes Ederson to perform at his best.
Guardiola said via BeanymanSports: “Sometimes Ederson has to have the feeling that he has to perform well, otherwise Stefan [Ortega] will play.”
“And this competition — a healthy competition — is based on respect because they have an incredible relationship, and that makes our team better.”
“Stefan is, for me, one of the best players I’ve ever seen one against one. It’s kind of hard to choose. Of course we have Xabi [Mancisidor] and Richard [Wright], unbelievable coaches and the ’keepers, including Scott [Carson] make incredible saves.”
Ortega will be hoping that Pep Guardiola’s promise about Ederson being benched if he does not live up to the billing rings true this season.
Otherwise, despite signing a contract extension in the summer, City’s number two could have to look elsewhere for regular starting opportunities in the summer.
Ortega would be aiming to give Ederson as hard a task as possible to keep his spot as Manchester City’s number one until the end of the 2024/2025 season.
