Manchester City have told Fortuna Dusseldorf to forget all about signing goalkeeper Zack Steffen on a permanent basis. The Etihad outfit snapped up the highly-rated United States international this summer from Major League soccer side Columbus Crew for £8m, before then loaning him out to the Bundesliga outfit.
Steffen, 24, has quickly impressed everyone at the German club, who were keen to discuss with the Citizens what it will take to keep him at the club for the long-term.
It is understood, however, that City have high hopes for the American shot-stopper and have already indicated to Fortuna they would be wasting their time trying to make a cash bid.
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The Citizens, who beat Dinamo Zagreb 2-0 on Tuesday night in the Champions League, were delighted to acquire Steffen, who had earned himself a big reputation playing in the MLS and was being linked to a number of interested clubs in Europe.
City now rate the player at £20m-plus and club sources have indicated he could find himself back at the Etihad next season, as the official understudy to first-choice goalkeeper Ederson.
Veteran understudy Claudio Bravo is now in the final year of his contract and there is no indication the former Barcelona man will be offered a new deal to stay on with the champions.
Steffen has been told he can have big future with City and he also has the protection of a four-year deal worth around £25,000-per-week – a massive increase on what he was previously earning on the other side of the Atlantic.
City’s scouts are continuing to receive regular updates and boss Pep Guardiola was promised that Steffen does have what it takes to make the grade under him.
The Pennsylvania-born ace has played every minute of Flingeraner’s six Bundesliga matches this term, conceding 11 goals as Fortuna sit 14th in the German top-flight standings.
