When Pep Guardiola comes calling for you, that must feel like quite the compliment. A confirmation, if you will, that you’re on the right track.
Despite recently signing a new contract and seemingly putting the transfer speculation to bed, reports suggesting that Manchester City are now chasing a man who had recently appeared on Celtic’s radar suddenly thrusts one of the Bundesliga’s breakthrough talents back into the gossip columns.
If Joe Hart is a Man City goalkeeper of the past, then could Michael Zetterer be a City shot-stopper of the future?
BILD certainly think so, the German publication reporting that a man who had allegedly been lined up to replace Hart at Celtic could now follow in the retiring shot-stoppers Etihad footsteps instead. The German publication believe that the Premier League champions are keen on Werder Bremen’s number one.
Manchester City join Celtic in goalkeeper chase
Zetterer has a release clause in his contract, albeit one that is due to expire in mid-June.
As you might have guessed, considering the 28-year-old has been linked with teams coached by Pep Guardiola and Brendan Rodgers, Zetterer is not just a preventer of goals but a starter of attacks, putting his pinpoint distribution to good use.
Any goalkeeper between the sticks at City or Celtic must be as comfortable with the ball at his feet as he is with it in his hands. And Zetterer, a potential replacement for Stefan Ortega with Saudi Arabian clubs chasing Guardiola’s current back-up, has made big strides with regards to his distribution over the last 12 months or so.
“He has earned this contract extension with his good performances,” Werder’s goalkeeping coach Christian Vander said when the German extended his contract a few weeks back.
“You can see that Zetti is good for the team with his qualities, especially in (his) offensive play.”
Celtic need a Joe Hart replacement
Zetterer, finally established as Werder’s number one after ousting Jiri Pavlenka, said a few weeks ago that he was keen to stay at the Weser Stadion. Man City’s interest is likely to test his loyalty to the limits, however, while the prospect of European football and a shot at silverware with Celtic may also hold some appeal.
“After such a long time at this club, I am happy and proud to have extended my long-term contract with Werder as number one,” Zetterer told BILD after extending his deal in May. “I want to give everything for Werder in the Bundesliga in the coming years to achieve our goals.”
HITC understands Man City are also watching Roma’s Mile Svilar. Celtic, meanwhile, identified Liverpool’s Caomhin Kelleher as their first-choice Hart replacement. There is also interest in Trabzonspor captain Ugurcan Cakir, while Aston Villa youngster Viljami Sinisalo and free-agent Etienne Vaessen have been linked too.
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