Nottingham Forest Secure Deal for Manchester City's Stefan Ortega
Nottingham Forest are poised to complete the signing of goalkeeper Stefan Ortega from Manchester City, with an agreement now in place for the German shot-stopper to move to the City Ground. The transfer is set to be finalised as a free transfer, given Ortega is in the final months of his contract at the Etihad Stadium, though Manchester City could still receive up to £500,000 if certain performance-related clauses are activated.
Ortega's Role and Forest's Goalkeeping Situation
Stefan Ortega is expected to join Nottingham Forest as the backup goalkeeper to first-choice Matz Sels. This move comes after Forest's other goalkeeper, John Victor, was ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a serious knee injury, creating an urgent need for reinforcement between the posts.
Ortega, who has made 56 appearances across his first three seasons at Manchester City, has largely served as understudy to Ederson during his time at the club. However, in the current campaign, he has found himself completely frozen out of the first-team picture, not featuring in any matches so far.
Fall Down the Pecking Order at Manchester City
The 33-year-old German's situation at Manchester City deteriorated significantly following the club's summer transfer business. After the arrivals of Gianluigi Donnarumma, James Trafford, and Marcus Bettinelli, Ortega was relegated to fourth-choice goalkeeper, effectively ending his prospects of playing time at the Etihad.
With his contract winding down and no pathway to regular football, a move away from Manchester City became inevitable, with Nottingham Forest emerging as the most likely destination for the experienced goalkeeper.
Forest's Busy Winter Transfer Window Activity
Nottingham Forest have been particularly active during the January transfer window, with the Ortega deal representing just one part of their broader squad reshuffle. The Midlands club have already secured the loan signing of striker Lorenzo Lucca from Napoli and are close to completing a move for Inter Milan midfielder Davide Frattesi.
Meanwhile, Forest have also facilitated the loan departure of striker Arnaud Kalimuendo to Eintracht Frankfurt and terminated the loan of midfielder Douglas Luiz, who has instead joined Aston Villa. There are further indications that Oleksandr Zinchenko could also be departing the City Ground before the window closes.
Manchester City's Parallel Transfer Business
As Nottingham Forest work to bolster their squad, Manchester City have been conducting their own transfer activities. The Premier League champions have strengthened their defensive options with the acquisition of defender Marc Guehi and added winger Antoine Semenyo to their attacking ranks.
On the outgoing side, City have sold Oscar Bobb to Fulham while arranging loan moves for Claudio Echeverri to Girona and Stephen Mfuni to Watford, indicating a broader reshuffling of their squad resources alongside Ortega's impending departure.
The transfer represents a pragmatic solution for both clubs: Forest gain experienced goalkeeping cover at minimal cost, while City offload a player who no longer features in their plans while potentially benefiting from future performance incentives.
