Manchester City goalkeeper expected to leave on free transfer

Pep Guardiola and Manchester City are expected to see further change in their goalkeeping department in the summer of 2026.

The past few months have seen dramatic turnover in City’s goalkeeping ranks, with Ederson departing for Fenerbahçe and Gianluigi Donnarumma arriving on deadline day to become Guardiola’s new first-choice.

James Trafford’s return to the Etihad Stadium earlier in the same window added another twist, with the England international originally believing he was re-joining the club to take the No.1 shirt before the late pivot towards Donnarumma.

As City now navigate the consequences of those decisions, the status of Stefan Ortega continues to loom as another major consideration. The German has long held ambitions of being a regular starter, and while he has embraced his role at City with professionalism, the presence of Donnarumma, Trafford, and Marcus Bettinelli has limited his pathway.

Previous reports in recent days have already highlighted Ortega’s openness to leaving, with January emerging as a potential flashpoint depending on interest and movement elsewhere. However, regardless of mid-season developments, longer-term projections have become clear.

According to the information of The Athletic’s Jordan Campbell, Stefan Ortega is expected to leave Manchester City on a free transfer in the summer of 2026 when his contract at the club expires.

Ortega’s expected departure aligns with earlier indications that City may have to reconstruct their goalkeeping depth within the next 12 months. Trafford’s own uncertainty – sparked by Donnarumma’s arrival – has created a situation in which both of the Italian’s current deputies could feasibly move on by the time the 2026/27 season begins.

Allowing Ortega to see out his contract may be viewed as a pragmatic solution, enabling him to provide continued cover while Trafford’s future is resolved. At the same time, it frees the club from navigating a sale or replacement in the short term, particularly during a January window that could already involve complex negotiations.

Looking ahead, Guardiola and his staff may begin profiling a new long-term No.2 option to sit behind Donnarumma once Ortega and perhaps Trafford both depart. Whether that comes from within the Academy, the wider CFG network, or the external market remains to be seen.

What is clear, however, is that Manchester City’s goalkeeping evolution is far from complete. With Ortega set to move on in 2026 and Trafford’s situation far from settled, another summer of significant change between the posts now appears inevitable.