Manchester City are reportedly set to sign Bundesliga star Stefan Ortega, and with the arrival of the 29-year-old, the Premier League giants could now sell Zack Steffen this summer.
According to reports, the American international is keen to play regular football next season ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with the former Columbus Crew talent eager to head to Qatar as Gregg Berhalter’s side looks to make waves this winter.
With Steffen hardly kicking a ball last season and infamously causing a calamitous error to knock City out of the FA Cup against Liverpool, the keeper is in need of both a confidence boost and regular playing time ahead of what could be the 27-year-old’s biggest moment yet in his career.
Indeed, Steffen has shown immense quality at times for City, and with 29-caps for the US, the keeper will be keen to start the World Cup opener against Wales. Yet who should make a move for the shot-stopper this summer?
Ajax
With Andre Onana set to join Inter Milan according to reports, Ajax are without a top-class goalkeeper under the age of 35, and for the UEFA Champions League giants, Steffen is perfect for what they need for the upcoming season.
This summer brings a new change to Ajax following the departure of Erik Ten Hag, and with numerous players set to leave Amsterdam in the coming weeks, Steffen could be a great addition to the Dutch side ahead of what is to be a brave new world for the European powerhouses.
Bayer Leverkusen
Another side who could with a younger keeper for next season is Bayer Leverkusen, with club captain Lukas Hradecky having some shaky spells last campaign and in need of some strong competition for the no. 1 jersey, with Steffen an ideal solution.
The American has previous experience in the Bundesliga with Fortuna Dusseldorf where the keeper was very impressive for the German outfit, and a return for Steffen to a side competing in Europe could be an excellent way to gain regular minutes in a top division.
Fulham
Fulham are already favourites to go straight back down next season following their bi-annual return to the Premier League, and Steffen could be a potential signing for the season if the Cottagers are looking for a quality player between the sticks.
With Steffen a shoo-in to start for Fulham should a move happen this summer, the American can play a huge role in trying to keep Marco Silva’s side in the Premier League, whilst playing alongside international teammates Antonee Robinson and Tim Ream a selling point for the shot-stopper.
Lazio
Just like with Ajax, Lazio head into the summer with only a group of veteran goalkeepers led by the one and only Pepe Reina, and on paper, Steffen is perfect for what Maurizio Sarri wants from his shot-stopper in terms of on-the-feet possession and quality and actually stopping goals.
Indeed, Serie A has seen a boom of American internationals over the past few years, and for Steffen, the Pennsylvanian-born player could become a star for Lazio if Sarri decides to make a move for the City outcast in the coming weeks.
Rangers
Whilst Allan McGregor has signed a contract extension with Rangers at the age of 40, the Scottish giants could still do with signing a quality goalkeeper this summer, with Steffen an obvious candidate given his record with both the USA and in MLS with the Columbus Crew.
Indeed, Rangers will likely go far in Europe again next season as well in the race for the Scottish title, and Steffen could replace McGregor as the club’s no. 1 if he can impress Giovanni van Bronckhorst early in the season.
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