Celtic are interested in Stefan Ortega and are reportedly preparing a January bid for Manchester City goalkeeper, as the club look to strengthen key positions ahead of the second half of the season.
The Scottish champions are expected to be active in the upcoming transfer window, and are already identifying areas that require depth and competition.
While the club has been linked with midfielders David Watson and Hossam Essadak, the latest reports suggest that a new goalkeeper could be next on the list.
According to The Star on Sunday, via the BBC’s Gossip Page, Celtic are planning a £500,000 move for Ortega, who has found first-team opportunities limited at the Etihad this season.
The 33-year-old is reportedly open to a move in search of regular football.
Celtic’s current first-choice goalkeeper, Kasper Schmeichel, remains the undisputed number one under the new interim coach.
The Danish veteran, who turned 39 this week, continues to bring experience and leadership between the posts.
However, questions have been raised about his consistency and longevity, particularly with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.
Behind Schmeichel is Viljami Sinisalo, a highly-rated young Finnish goalkeeper who has impressed in training but has yet to displace the former Leicester City man.
Bringing in Ortega would add further competition — and potentially a transition plan for life after Schmeichel.
Ortega’s potential arrival could complicate the goalkeeping hierarchy at Celtic Park, creating a three-way battle for the number one shirt.
If the move materialises, the January window could mark a pivotal moment in Celtic’s bid to refresh a squad aiming to compete domestically and in Europe.
Stefan Ortega’s story is one of perseverance and late success. The German shot-stopper did not make his Bundesliga debut until he was 27, following Arminia Bielefeld’s promotion.
His performances during those two seasons in Germany’s top flight earned him admiration for his reflexes and composure — qualities that eventually caught the eye of Manchester City.
In 2022, Ortega joined Pep Guardiola’s side on a free transfer, a move that surprised many observers at the time.
Initially signed as backup to Ederson, he featured in several domestic cup matches during City’s treble-winning campaign.
His professionalism and reliability quickly earned him respect within the dressing room, even as his appearances remained limited.
Ortega’s patience paid off when he was called up to the German national team last November, a proud moment in a career built on steady progress.
He also started in last season’s FA Cup final, where City were narrowly beaten by Crystal Palace — a rare blemish in an otherwise dominant era for Guardiola’s men.
However, with James Trafford returning from loan and Gianluigi Donnarumma recently joining City, Ortega has found himself further down the pecking order.
Having made just one matchday squad this season, the 33-year-old is believed to be considering his options to secure more playing time.
Scottish league could be his next destination amid the widely circulated report that Celtic are interested in Stefan Ortega. The goalkeeper would bring top-level experience, calm distribution, and a winning mentality to the Scottish champions.
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His arrival could also provide the club with tactical flexibility, as Ortega’s comfort with the ball at his feet aligns with the manager’s preference for building from the back.
The January transfer window is shaping up to be an important one for Celtic.
With the team looking to maintain their domestic dominance and make an impression in Europe, adding a goalkeeper of Ortega’s pedigree could prove a shrewd and timely move.
For Ortega, meanwhile, a move to Glasgow could be the perfect opportunity to reclaim the regular first-team football that has eluded him in Manchester.
In any case, the prospect of seeing three goalkeepers vying for the number one spot at Celtic Park would certainly make for one of the more intriguing storylines of the January window.
