Leeds starter remarkably offered to Man City in last-ditch effort to prevent transfer collapse

Manchester City have been offered the services of Illan Meslier from Leeds United as a possible replacement for Stefan Ortega, according to reports.

Ortega has become a key target for Bayern Munich recently as they search for cover for the injured Manuel Neuer. Man City only signed him last summer, though, so have been reluctant to do business.

According to Sky Sports Germany expert Florian Plettenberg, though, they have been offered Meslier as a replacement to push along the transfer.

Meslier was part of the Leeds squad that suffered relegation from the Premier League last season, which has since been severely depleted by departures – and he too could be in search of a new club in the top flight.

That said, the 23-year-old recently confessed he would only look to move on if it was to become a starter elsewhere, which would seem impossible at Man City due to the presence of Ederson.

And Plettenberg has confirmed that Man City have ruled out the option of bringing in a new No.2 anyway. Although Ortega was willing to consider a transfer to Bayern, his current employers are not.

Bayern make final goalkeeper decision

Therefore, Bayern’s plans to loan in Ortega have come undone. According to Plettenberg, they have now decided to stick with Sven Ulreich until Neuer is back – and they have told Ortega’s camp that they are moving on.

It means Man City have managed to keep hold of Ortega, while Meslier will have to look elsewhere or commit to Leeds for their Championship campaign.

The Frenchman is still under contract at Elland Road for another three years, so seems set to add to his 128 appearances for Leeds despite losing his place towards the end of their most recent spell in the Premier League.

As for Ortega, the 30-year-old has another two years on his contract with Man City, for whom he made 15 appearances in his debut season. Keeping clean sheets in just over half of his outings, Ortega only let in nine goals.

He remains unlikely to dislodge Ederson as No.1, but with Bayern abandoning their pursuit, he will have some more certainty now about where he will be competing for gametime.

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