Man City ‘agree’ free transfer, Joao Felix contradiction & Tottenham ‘end interest’ in striker

Manchester City could be closing in on their second summer signing of the window, according to reports on Thursday.

The Premier League champions have already confirmed the arrival of Erling Haaland since the market opened, while Julian Alvarez’s transfer from River Plate was announced in January.

The rumours this week surrounding City have tended to cover outgoings rather than potential incomings, with Raheem Sterling’s future chief among them.

But Thursday’s reports included claims of interest in two players, and we’ve rounded up the latest City transfer news…

Second summer signing imminent

According to reports from German outlet Kicker, Stefan Ortega is set to join City from Bundesliga side Arminia Bielefeld.

Sky Germany added the goalkeeper had turned down offers from Germany and Spain to join the Blues, while Fabrizio Romano tweeted to say the deal for the goalkeeper could be dependent on current stopper Zack Steffen departing.

That claim was contested by BBC Radio Manchester’s Mike Minay, who took to social media to say the 29-year-old’s addition to the squad does not ‘necessarily’ mean Steffen will depart.

Romano also wrote that a ‘verbal agreement’ is in place for Ortega to sign as a free agent.

Should he join City, the German is expected to provide back-up for first-choice Ederson.

Conflicting reports on Joao Felix

Journalist Bruno Andrade tweeted on Thursday to say: “Pep Guardiola wants Joao Felix at Manchester City.”

However, he added a deal ‘depends on the departures of Gabriel Jesus and [Raheem] Sterling’ and said this is to comply with Financial Fair Play.

But Minay of BBC Radio Radio Manchester once again disputed this report and claimed that rumours of interest in Felix are ‘untrue’.

Spurs step away from Jesus pursuit

The Evening Standard report Tottenham Hotspur have ended their interest in Gabriel Jesus, meaning Arsenal look set to secure his signing.

Spurs instead are prioritising moves for Raphinha and Richarlison ahead of the City striker, both of whom, they state, will cost more than £50m respectively.

Meanwhile, Romano tweeted to say that Arsenal and City are ‘still working’ on a deal, with ‘key details now discussed’.