Zack Steffen set to join Middlesbrough on loan from Manchester City with Stefan Ortega incoming | OneFootball

Manchester City have already confirmed one signing in Erling Haaland, and reports suggest another two are in the pipeline and can be made official very soon. One of these players is departing Arminia Bielefeld goalkeeper Stefan Ortega.

With Ortega coming in on a free transfer as a backup to Ederson, Zack Steffen, who is searching for regular game time, will be surplus to requirements, and his departure from the Premier League champions has widely been reported.

On Tuesday afternoon, Alex Crook of talkSPORT first broke the story about Steffen moving to Middlesbrough on loan for next season. The news was then corroborated by Tyrone Marshall from the Manchester Evening News soon after.

Steffen is expected to take up the number one spot for Chris Wilder's side in the Championship next season.

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Even before City were linked to Ortega, rumours were circulating that the American could look for a move away to a team where he could get regular minutes, which would solidify his claim for the starting position in the US Men's National Team for the World Cup this year.

Steffen is the regular first-choice keeper for his national team, but the recent performances of Matt Turner, and his subsequent move to Arsenal, have piled some pressure on Steffen's starting berth. Middlesbrough are reported to have fought off several other Championship rivals for the American's signature.

Steffen has made 21 appearances for City across the past couple of seasons but has only made two appearances in the Premier League, one in each of his two seasons at the club. The 27-year-old's last appearance came in the FA Cup semi-final defeat to Liverpool which, safe to say, was not one of his better performances for the club.

The former Columbus Crew goalkeeper is unlikely to return to the City squad should Ortega carry his form from Germany to England.

Steffen has been an able understudy to Ederson in his two years at the club – but the decision to move on is the right one as he seeks regular game time, and he leaves on a high, with two Premier League winner medals and a Carabao Cup triumph added to his CV.

Last week we covered claims from Florian Plettenberg of Sky Sport in Germany, who reported that Ortega will sign a three-year deal with Pep Guardiola's side, with a medical to take place this week; coinciding with the expiration of his Bielefeld contract.

Photo courtesy of Joosep Martinson/Getty Images

Elsewhere, Gabriel Jesus has completed his Arsenal medical today as the Gunners gear up to announce the £45 million + signing of the forward.