Celtic must accelerate approach for Man City outcast after latest news
Celtic should be aiming to sign Stefan Ortega for a cut-price fee in January after a new report revealed that he wants out of Man City as soon as possible.
Celtic will be looking towards the future with excitement as Columbus Crew boss Wilfried Nancy prepares to become their new manager after a sharp upturn in form under interim Michael O’Neill.
Football Insider recently revealed that Celtic will have to back Nancy in January as he aims to win the Premiership title ahead of early-season pacesetters Hearts.
The Frenchman may well have his eye on bolstering their goalkeeping ranks, with first-choice Kasper Schmeichel now 39-years-old and clearly not the top stopper he once was.
Celtic fans slammed Schmeichel for his weak attempt at saving a penalty last time against Hibernian, while the club has been linked with new keepers in recent times, and Stefan Ortega could be the man to come in to challenge him soon.
Stefan Ortega wants to leave Man City after falling down keeper pecking order
Stefan Ortega has played 56 times for Man City since his arrival on a free transfer in 2022, deputising for Ederson in the last few years prior to his summer exit.
They let Ederson leave and signed both Gianluigi Donnarumma and James Trafford ahead of this season, with Football Insider then revealing that City were open to offers for Ortega as Marcus Bettinelli also arrived from Chelsea.
He instead remained at the Etihad Stadium but has only made the matchday squad once so far this term, with those three aforementioned keepers all ahead of him in Pep Guardiola’s pecking order.
The Daily Mail have now reported that Ortega wants to leave City and is eyeing the January window for a possible departure, alongside second-choice Trafford.
Trafford has been linked to Newcastle ahead of the new year, but whether the Citizens will allow him to leave to bolster a Premier League rival is unclear, and Ortega certainly seems the more likely keeper to make an exit considering his current squad status.
Celtic should make January move for Ortega to challenge Kasper Schmeichel
The Daily Star’s print edition from 9 November (via GlasgowWorld) stated that the Hoops have been planning a £500,000 January move for City keeper Ortega, and so this latest update should encourage them to make a concrete move for his services.
Guardiola’s recent treatment of Ortega has been confusing, considering how he consistently trusted him as an adequate backup for a stopper with the ability of Ederson in the last three years.
Celtic veteran Schmeichel has been questioned by club legend Chris Sutton this season as he reaches the latter stages of his career, and it certainly seems like a good idea for incoming boss Nancy to bring in a new keeper in January as he stamps his authority on the squad he is set to inherit.
Football Insider revealed in October that Celtic have explored the possibility of signing a new goalkeeper as the big Dane is out of contract next summer, and Ortega feels like the ideal addition considering his pedigree and cut-price fee that could see him leave City soon.