Manchester City are now said to be on the verge of confirming their first player exit ahead of the 2023/24 season.
The newly crowned Premier League champions still have a lot to play for this season with two finals lined up: a UEFA Champions League decider against Inter Milan and an FA Cup clash with city rivals Manchester United.
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However, it seems the EPL champions have already begun preparing for next season, with their first player departure set to be announced soon, according to reports.
Several Citizens have been linked with an exit, including Ilkay Gundogan, Aymeric Laporte and Bernardo Silva, but it appears none of these three will be the first to make their way out of the Etihad if they eventually do.
According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, goalkeeper Zack Steffen is set to leave the club soon following his season-long spell in the English Championship with Middlesbrough.
It is said the USA international has no place in Pep Guardiola's side as Ederson remains the undisputed No. 1, while his back-up Stefan Ortega has proved a capable alternative for the Brazilian following his arrival in England at the beginning of the season.
Steffen has enjoyed a productive season out on loan, impressing as he made 45 appearances for Michael Carrick's Boro to help them reach the Premier League promotion play-offs, and City will now reportedly look to sell the glovesman, who still has two years on his contract in Manchester.
With the 28-year-old's future now understood to be up in the air, Middlesbrough are believed to be keen to retain his services, although they could face competition for his signature with some Bundesliga teams said to be interested in securing his services – the shot-stopper has previously played in Germany, having represented Fortuna Dusseldorf (on loan from City in the 2019/20 campaign) and Freiburg (in 2016) in the past.
Speaking during the international break in March, the goalkeeper revealed he was not confident about returning to City as he wants regular game time.
"I don't think I'll go back (to City)," Steffen said, according to the Northern Echo.
"No, I want to be playing. Although I had a great time at City and I love those guys, and obviously (it's) an amazing club, I don't really have any plans to go back."
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