The summer transfer window is a time when nothing feels certain. Rumors spread like wildfire. Fans check their phones at all hours, praying their favorite players will stay or hoping for the arrival of new heroes. For Manchester City supporters, this summer has felt like a rollercoaster already. Big names are linked to the club, and big names are leaving too. But among all the talk about flashy signings and record-breaking fees, one story stands out for its quiet, nagging uncertainty: the futures of City’s two goalkeepers, Ederson and Stefan Ortega.
For years now, Ederson Moraes has been City’s number one. The Brazilian is famous for his coolness under pressure, his incredible passing range, and the way he seems to see the whole pitch like an outfield player. Pep Guardiola loves him. Ederson has been the starter since 2017, trusted in countless huge games, lifting trophy after trophy with City. He is more than just a shot-stopper; he’s part of how City play football.
But in the background there has always been Stefan Ortega. Signed to be the backup, the safety net, the reliable second choice. Ortega is calm, dependable, strong in one-on-one situations. When he’s been called upon, he’s rarely put a foot wrong. He’s the sort of goalkeeper teammates trust instantly. He might not be as famous as Ederson, but within the dressing room he has a lot of respect. Even John Stones once described him as “incredible,” praising not only his shot-stopping but his professionalism and attitude.
Yet now, as City prepare for another season, questions about Ortega’s future are growing louder. The truth is, he doesn’t want to sit on the bench forever. He’s approaching the peak of his career, and he wants to play. Real games. Big games. Week in, week out. And that might not happen at City while Ederson is there.
Whispers about his future have grown louder all summer. There are clubs interested. His camp is assessing options. Everyone knows he could leave if the right offer comes in. And while Ederson’s own future has occasionally been mentioned in the rumor mill—because in the transfer market you should always expect surprises—the truth is Ederson himself has confirmed he will stay at City. He wants to keep fighting for titles. He’s not looking to leave.
That makes the situation clear in one way. If City keep Ederson, and they want to sign more non-homegrown players this summer, they might need to sell someone else to make space. The Premier League rules say they can only have 17 non-homegrown players. Every signing means they have to think carefully about who leaves. That number haunts every recruitment meeting, every transfer strategy session.
So Ortega’s name keeps coming up. Because he’s valuable. He’s proven. He’s the sort of player another club would love a⁹ starter. He doesn’t want to be second-choice forever. It makes sense on paper. But football isn’t just paper. It’s emotion, loyalty, ambition, risk.
Ortega hasn’t exactly calmed the rumors, either. In June, he was asked about his future. Did he give a clear answer? No. He said, “It’s quite early for that question, I can’t say anything about that, it’s too early.” He didn’t say he was definitely leaving. But he didn’t say he was definitely staying. For fans, that sort of answer is agony. It keeps everyone guessing. It fuels the fire.
It’s also true that City might need money. Not that they’re poor—far from it—but every deal they do now has to be smart. Financial Fair Play is real. The club knows UEFA and the Premier League are watching. Selling a backup goalkeeper who still has value is a classic way to balance the books a little bit while freeing up a squad place.
Meanwhile, there’s another twist. Manchester City have already lost one non-homegrown star this summer. Kevin De Bruyne shocked a lot of people by leaving for Napoli. He’s been one of City’s best-ever players, the creative genius, the leader. His departure alone frees up one non-homegrown spot in the squad. But City aren’t stopping there. They want more signings. They want to keep improving. And that means thinking about who else might have to go.
The club’s new sporting director has been busy. He’s shown he can move fast. Ruben Amorim praised him for being a winner, and for good reason. He moved quickly to sign Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders, Marcus Bettinelli, and Rayan Ait-Nouri. None of these moves happened by accident. City are planning carefully, thinking about their squad balance, their non-homegrown quota, their long-term goals.
And as City plan more additions, Ortega’s future looks even more fragile. Because Pep Guardiola has to choose. Does he want two expensive, non-homegrown keepers in his 17 slots? Or does he want to use one of those valuable places on a new midfielder, a new winger, a new defender? Every transfer strategy meeting will weigh that question.
At the same time, Pep knows he can’t take too many risks. Ortega is good. Really good. Ederson might be the clear number one, but football is unpredictable. Injuries happen. Suspensions happen. City are fighting on four fronts every season: the Premier League, the Champions League, the FA Cup, and the League Cup. The FIFA Club World Cup is on the horizon too. Having two reliable goalkeepers is not a luxury—it’s almost essential.
But there’s also reality. Ortega wants to play. He’s not some teenager hoping for a future chance. He’s in his prime. He’s good enough to be first choice at most clubs. He knows it. His agent knows it. Other clubs know it.
There’s also the human side. Imagine being Ortega. Every day in training, you work hard, you dive at strikers’ feet, you pull off stunning saves, you stay sharp. But on match day, you’re sitting on the bench. Watching. Cheering your teammates. But inside you’re burning to play. It’s not easy. Even the best professionals feel it.
That’s why this summer is so important for him. Does he stay and accept another season as the dependable backup? Or does he move on, chase his own glory, become the hero for another club? It’s not an easy decision.
Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola is thinking about everything. He knows goalkeepers are special. They’re not like other players. You can rotate wingers and midfielders all you want, but goalkeepers need confidence. They need to feel trusted. Constant rotation can ruin them. Pep is famously loyal to his first-choice keepers. Ederson knows he has that loyalty. But Ortega? He knows the truth too.
For City fans, it’s an emotional subject. Ortega has become a cult favorite. They love his attitude, his calmness, his brilliant saves in tight games. He feels like part of the family now. The idea of losing him is sad. But fans also understand. They don’t want to hold him back. They want what’s best for him.
