Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claims Manchester City have an agreement in place to sign Arminia Bielefeld goalkeeper Stefan Ortega if Zack Steffen departs this summer.

The Lowdown: Ortega’s a free agent

The 29-year-old worked his way up through the academy ranks with the Bundesliga outfit before leaving in 2014 to join 1860 Munich, only to return to his boyhood club three years later.

However, the shot-stopper’s contract with the Blues is set to expire at the end of the month, and following Arminia’s relegation, it’s since been confirmed that he will be leaving the club, and it looks like he could be on his way to the Premier League.

The Latest: City have agreement ready

Taking to Twitter, Romano revealed that City have already got a deal in place for Ortega, and that it’s simply a matter of time before it gets completed. He wrote:

“Manchester City are really interested in signing Stefan Ortega, as called by @Sky_Dirk today. Been told there’s a verbal agreement in place with City to sign as free agent.

“Deal depends on Zack Steffen to find a good solution on the market, but Ortega’s waiting for City.”

The Verdict: Competition for Ederson

With Steffen looking elsewhere as a result of his lack of game time, Pep Guardiola will now be on the hunt to find a suitable replacement as a backup for current number one Ederson, and Ortega more than has the ability to provide some serious competition for the Brazilian.

Standing at 6 foot, the man between the sticks held a hugely impressive record in the Bundesliga last season, clocking up 33 appearances and making at least ten more saves (125) than any other goalkeeper in the German league.

Ortega is a player comfortable with the ball at his feet, and that’s an attribute that the Spaniard loves his stoppers to have, and the fact that City could bring him to the Etihad for the price of absolutely nothing saves the transfer coffers for bigger investments elsewhere in the squad.