Man City are tapping into successful transfer market where rival clubs struggle

If there is confusion to be had around Manchester City's pursuit of another goalkeeper, it is not that they are looking to Germany again.

Stefan Ortega is being targeted on a free transfer after his contract at relegated Bundesliga side Bielefield expired, and despite what City sources say his arrival would directly impact on current No.2 Zack Steffen. Neither goalkeeper could possibly accept being third choice, so if Ortega comes in it looks almost certain that Steffen would go out.

The two share something in common though in that they both developed in Germany, with Steffen playing at Dusseldorf for a season after joining City from Columbus Crew; the US shotstopper is only the second member of Pep Guardiola's squad to have earned his spot in Manchester after going out on loan. Ortega has spent his entire career in Germany.

Also read: Man City look to bring in new goalkeeper on free transfer

Those who haven't been regular watches of Bielefield seem impressed by Ortega's Youtube compilations, but the very fact that he is coming from the Bundesliga is a green light from City's point of view. As well as Steffen, Kevin De Bruyne, Leroy Sane, and Ilkay Gundogan have all come from that league and thrived while there are no doubts that Erling Haaland will do the same.

City's success rate from the country is all the more remarkable given the theories about the leagues. Some subscribe to the idea of a 'Bundesliga tax' whereby attacking players enjoy significantly less success in front of goal when they move to England; there has even been an argument against Haaland working at City on the back of it.

The struggles of Timo Werner, Sebastian Haller and Jadon Sancho all appear to back up the relative struggle when swapping the