Zack Steffen 'edging closer to Manchester City exit'

The 28-year-old joined the Citizens from MLS outfit Columbus Crew for around $7m (£5.6m) in 2019 as a backup to first-choice shot-stopper Ederson.

Steffen has made only 21 first-team appearances under manager Pep Guardiola, with 16 of those taking place in domestic cups.

The American has failed to earn regular first-team football at the Etihad Stadium and has fallen down the pecking order since the arrival of new number two Stefan Ortega in the summer of 2022.

Steffen was sent out on loan to Championship side Middlesbrough last season and made a total of 44 appearances in the second tier, keeping 10 clean sheets.

The goalkeeper, who also had a loan spell with German club Fortuna Dusseldorf in 2019-20, has not been involved in any of Man City's 21 competitive matches this season due to a knee injury.

Nevertheless, it is thought that Steffen is now deemed surplus to requirements at Man City, and the shot-stopper is keen to seek pastures new in an attempt to win back the No.1 jersey with the USA national team.

According to The Athletic, Colorado Rapids are in advanced talks to sign Steffen and negotiations are progressing between both parties, but a deal is yet to be agreed.

Colorado endured a frustrating 2023 MLS season as they finished rock bottom of the Western Conference, 17 points adrift of the final series playoffs.

The Rapids named former Manchester United and Leeds United assistant coach Chris Armas as their new manager last month, and an overhaul of the club's first-team squad is expected to take place over the winter.

Senior figures have already been moved on including Jack Price and Diego Rubio, but Colorado currently have the maximum three designated players in Andreas Maxso, Kevin Cabral and Rafael Navarro.

The designated players rule allows MLS teams to recruit up to three players whose total compensation and acquisition costs exceed the league's salary cap, and with that in mind, it remains to be seen how Steffen could potentially fit into Colorado's roster.

Steffen, who has earned a total of 29 caps for USA, is under contract at Man City until the summer of 2025.