Exclusive:Man City won't listen to January transfer offers for first-team player linked with exit

Manchester City will not listen to offers for goalkeeper Stefan Ortega in January, despite recent suggestions he would be interested in a mid-season transfer.

Reports in Germany stated the 31-year-old could leave City this winter or next summer, in an effort to try and establish himself as Germany’s no.1 keeper.

Ortega, who appeared to be on the verge of becoming Pep Guardiola’s first-choice stopper last summer, has played just two matches this season. He started the recent Carabao Cup win over Watford, and the Champions League victory against Slovan Bratislava, and has resumed his back-up role to Ederson again this season.

Guardiola claimed over the weekend that Ortega is an ‘exceptional’ keeper. “I think Stefan is, for me, one of the best players I’ve ever seen, one against one,” he said, before adding that the ‘healthy competition’ between Ortega and Ederson makes the team better.

Ortega has previously been outspoken on his desire to be City’s first-choice goalkeeper and signed a new contract in the summer amid the uncertainty surrounding Ederson’s future.

"Personally I just try to be the number one. That's it, no more than that,” he said. "The situation right now is the same as the season before. I try to catch Eddy, but support him as well and everyone in the team. Obviously everyone wants to play and go higher and higher.”

For now, Ortega will have to settle for a back-up role at the Etihad, and due to the complicated nature of the January transfer window, City would be extremely reluctant to sanction a deal during the season.

A move next summer seems a more likely solution if Ortega is considering his future. City would not stand in the player’s way if a suitable offer is received, as is the policy with all first-team members.

However, it remains possible that Ederson will depart at the end of the 2024/25 season. The Brazilian was open to the prospect last summer and Guardiola revealed over the weekend that Ederson stayed at City as they didn’t receive an offer - that’s despite the former Benfica man attracting strong interest from Saudi Arabia.