Man City to axe star famous for Liverpool blunder despite ‘stunning season’; likeliest next move named

Man City are ‘ready to sell’ a player despite enjoying a ‘stunning season’, meaning an infamous clanger dropped against Liverpool will be the final act in his City career, per a report.

Man City were crowned Premier League champions for the fifth time in six seasons on Saturday evening. In doing so, they became just the second side to win the title three years in a row in the EPL era. Man Utd did the three-peat between 1999-01 and 2007-09.

One player who played no part in City’s campaign was reserve goalkeeper, Zack Steffen.

The USA international was once Ederson’s primary back-up, though that changed when Stefan Ortega arrived from Arminia Bielefeld last summer.

Steffen, 28, was quickly loaned out to Championship side Middlesbrough where the Sun state he’s enjoyed a ‘stunning season’.

The stopper made 42 league appearances for Boro and his displays helped Michael Carrick’s side finish inside the play-off positions. Unfortunately for the club, their promotion push ended at the semi-final phase against Coventry City.

However, according to the Sun, Steffen is highly unlikely to be back at The Riverside Stadium next season.

That’s because Man City have reportedly earmarked Steffen for a permanent move away and the fee he’s likely to command will be beyond any Championship side.

Indeed, the newspaper report City ‘aim to find a buyer’  and are ‘ready to sell’ the keeper.

Ortega will remain Ederson’s deputy next season, while 20-year-old James Trafford is also bubbling up nicely in City’s system.

City hope to give the England Under-21 keeper Premier League experience next term via a loan spell and both Burnley and Sheffield United are potential destinations.

Likeliest next move named; Steffen not all that fussed to be leaving

Steffen is out in the cold and offers for his services will be entertained. Per the report, his likeliest next step will see him return to Germany after previously being on the books at Freiburg and Fortuna Dusseldorf (loan from Man City).

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In any case, if Steffen’s previous comments to the Philadelphia Inquirer are anything to go by, news of his Man City exit won’t be greeted with any great sadness.

“I don’t think I’ll go back [to Man City],” he previously told the American newspaper in March.

“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.”

As such, Steffen’s final act in a City shirt appears destined to be a calamitous error in a 2022 FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool.

With City already trailing, Steffen dawdled on the ball, allowing Sadio Mane to nip in and bundle home Liverpool’s second of three goals on the day.

City fought back, but could not overcome the deficit upon bowing out of the FA Cup via a 3-2 scoreline. Liverpool would go on to lift the FA Cup a month later.

READ MORE: Man City aim for Liverpool, Arsenal target as Guardiola’s title gift while expert rules out Barcelona

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