EXCLUSIVE: Man Utd in shock swoop for City star

Steve Kay
Steve Kay
  • Updated: 30 Jul 2025 13:57 BST
  • 4 min read
Pep Guardiola, Man City, Ruben Amorim, Man Utd
© IMAGO

Manchester United have made contact with the representatives of Manchester City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega in order to explore a potential move, FootballTransfers can exclusively reveal.

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The Old Trafford side are known to be in the market for a goalkeeper to either replace or supplement Andre Onana.

Sources have revealed that United are studying a move for Ortega, who is ready to leave Pep Guardiola’s side in the wake of their decision to sign James Trafford from Burnley.

Current ETV
Player image Stefan Ortega
Stefan Ortega

GK

Man City logo

Man City

Stefan Ortega
Stefan Ortega

GK

Man City

Man City

€6.5M

ETV Range

€5.5M - €7.4M

The German featured on 21 occasions for City last season but is known to want to depart in search of more game time. Man Utd could offer him this.

No formal bid has been lodged, but the Red Devils have asked about his availability, contract situation and willingness to make the move across Manchester.

According to our information, Ortega is open to discussing a deal but no final decision has been made by the 32-year-old former Arminia Bielefeld shot-stopper.

If the deal is completed, it will be a unique move as Manchester City have never sold a player directly to United.

Stefan Ortega, Man City, 2024/25
© IMAGO - Stefan Ortega, Man City, 2024/25

Manchester United’s hunt for a new goalkeeper

Ortega would tick a lot of boxes at Old Trafford, having proven himself a capable replacement for Ederson at the Etihad Stadium last season.

Furthermore, he is unlikely to be particularly expensive. His Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) stands at just €6.1 million and has just one year left to run on his contract with Guardiola’s men, meaning that they risk losing him for nothing if he is not sold now.

Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez was cited as an option for the Red Devils earlier in the transfer window but no deal has been agreed with the World Cup winner, who is currently too expensive for the club.

In recent hours, there have been links with PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma, but FootballTransfers’ information is that no contact has been made with the Italy international. In any case, he would likely prove too expensive.

United, instead, are treating Ortega as a viable option who is both a potential upgrade and cost-effective.

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