Celtic continue to be linked with Manchester City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega.
The 33-year-old, who received a call-up for Germany last year, has found himself frozen out at City after they signed two goalkeepers in the summer.
In the previous few seasons, Ortega had been able to displace Ederson occasionally, gaining experience in major Champions League and Premier League encounters.
He is very much a late bloomer, who never made a top-flight appearance until the age of 27. Eyebrows were certainly raised when City took him from Arminia Bielefeld on a free transfer.
And as rumours surround his future, it has emerged that Celtic face some competition for his signature.
Celtic face Premier League and Bundesliga competition for Manchester City goalkeeper
The Daily Star were the first to report that Celtic are planning a January move for Ortega.
It was seen as an unusual link, given that Kasper Schmeichel’s position doesn’t seem to be under immediate threat.
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But with the 39-year-old’s contract expiring at the end of the season, Ortega would offer plenty of pedigree as a potential replacement.
But according to Ekrem Konur, Celtic are not alone in their admiration for the City man.
His report says that several Serie A, Premier League and Bundesliga clubs are also interested, and that things are expected to progress in January.
Celtic face competition for Stefan Ortega in January
Ortega has just made one competitive matchday squad this season, in the opening matchday at Wolves, before the arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma.
He played in last season’s FA Cup final against Crystal Palace, which ended in defeat for the Citizens.
Perhaps his best moment in a City shirt came in the penultimate match of the 2023-24 Premier League season, against Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham. Heung-Min Son was bearing down on goal in the latter stages, and Ortega pulled off a one-on-one save which may well have won City the title.
Celtic’s other January targets
David Watson is a reported Celtic target, but the 20-year-old Kilmarnock midfielder has also been linked with a sensational move to Lazio.
Moroccan duo Hossam Essadak and Othmane Maamma are both also rated by the Celts, and the former is expected to move after impressing in the Under-20 World Cup.
Since the arrival of Wilfried Nancy, Columbus Crew pair Diego Rossi and Wessam Abou Ali have both been tipped to follow him.
Nancy will also be familiar with Mateusz Bogusz, who the Celts have made offers for before. The Polish midfielder is unsettled in Mexico, and expected to be on the move in January.
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