Manchester City appear ready to bid farewell to one of the quiet figures behind their recent success, with goalkeeper Stefan Ortega is ready to join Nottingham Forest.
The German shot-stopper has earned a reputation as a reliable deputy during his three years at the Etihad Stadium, yet the closing days of the January window look set to bring a new chapter in his career.
Reports emerging from Germany on Saturday suggested that negotiations between the two Premier League clubs had reached an advanced stage.
Florian Plettenberg, a journalist with close contacts in the Bundesliga and English game, indicated that Stefan Ortega is ready to join Nottingham Forest and was close to agreeing personal terms with the club after productive discussions with City officials.
The move would reunite the 33-year-old with a club urgently seeking reinforcements between the posts following an injury crisis.
Ortega arrived in Manchester in the summer of 2022 after impressing with Arminia Bielefeld, and he quickly became a trusted understudy to first-choice keeper Ederson.
Although opportunities in the league were limited, Guardiola frequently turned to him in domestic cup competitions and in moments when the Brazilian needed rest.
His calm distribution and confident command of the penalty area often drew praise from coaching staff, who viewed him as an integral member of the dressing room.
The proposed transfer would mark the end of a low-profile but significant spell. During City’s treble-winning campaign, Ortega featured in key FA Cup ties and was on the bench for the Champions League final, experiences that cemented his place within the squad.
Teammates have regularly spoken of his professionalism and willingness to push Ederson in training, qualities that helped maintain the high standards demanded by Guardiola.
Forest move swiftly to solve goalkeeping crisis
Nottingham Forest’s interest has been driven largely by necessity. Their summer signing John Victor suffered a serious knee injury earlier this month, an issue that medical staff confirmed will sideline him for the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign.
Manager Sean Dyche therefore turned his attention to the market for an experienced replacement capable of stepping straight into Premier League action.
According to Plettenberg’s update, Stefan Ortega is ready to join Nottingham Forest and has verbally agreed to the transfer while the two clubs thrashed out the terms of a transfer, signalling the player’s eagerness to seek regular football.
The agreement is said to be a permanent deal running until the end of the season, with the option of a longer stay should both parties be satisfied.
BBC Sport later added financial detail, stating that Forest will pay City a fee worth up to £500,000 ($685,000) for Ortega’s signature ahead of the winter market closing on Monday 2 February.
The impending departure continues a busy month of exits from the Etihad. Ortega would become the sixth player to leave Guardiola’s squad in January alone.
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Young winger Oscar Bobb completed a permanent switch to Fulham, while defenders Jadel Katongo and Will Dickson moved to Kayserispor and Chesterfield respectively.
Promising forward Jaden Heskey headed to Sheffield Wednesday on loan, and Argentine talent Claudio Echeverri joined Girona in a similar temporary arrangement.
The turnover highlights City’s willingness to reshape the fringes of their squad as they prepare for the final stretch of the season.
At the City Ground, meanwhile, supporters are hopeful that Ortega’s arrival can provide stability to a side hovering just above the relegation zone.
Dyche’s men sit 17th in the Premier League, five points clear of danger, and have endured an inconsistent campaign marked by defensive lapses.
The manager believes that an authoritative presence in goal could help tighten a back line that has conceded crucial late goals.
