Steffen is expected to be sent out on loan
Manchester City have reportedly tied up a deal to sign US international goalkeeper Zack Steffen.
According to Goal, Steffen, who has played for Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew in recent years, signed a contract with the Premier League champions after completing a medical on Thursday.
City are thought to have paid around £6m for the 23-year-old, a fee which could rise to £10m on the condition that he reaches certain incentives.
Steffen is currently unlikely to be granted a work permit in the UK, and so is expected to be sent out on loan. LaLiga side Girona, one of City’s sister clubs, are thought to be his most likely destination though Patrick Vieira – who previously managed City Football Group’s New York City FC – is also said to be interested in taking him to current club, OGC Nice.
Steffen was named MLS goalkeeper of the year in 2018, also a year in which he established himself as his country’s first choice (despite not playing in the game against England at Wembley last month).
Though Steffen is not currently likely to be eligible to be granted a UK work permit, Goal’s report points out that this is likely to change if he continues to play regularly for his national side in the months ahead.
Despite his arrival at City, it’s unlikely he will be able to challenge current club number one, Ederson, who became the world’s most expensive goalkeeper when he arrived from Benfica in 2017. The Brazilian has impressed in the time since, helping City to the Premier League title in his debut season.
