Report: Zack Steffen to become Manchester City backup after Claudio Bravo's summer departure

TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Report

Claudio Bravo’s reported exit from Manchester City could have ripple down effects for both NYCFC and the US men’s national team.

The 36-year-old Bravo will be released from Manchester City this summer and USMNT goalkeeper Zack Steffen will reportedly be promoted from within to become Ederson’s backup, according to the Evening Standard.

The former Columbus Crew SC standout was transferred to Manchester City in July and has spent the season on loan with Fortuna Dusseldorf in the German Bundesliga.

He’s made 17 Bundesliga starts, but has been sidelined since late December with a knee injury. Steffen went to Manchester City for further tests last month.

The same report claims Bravo was set for a summer move to NYCFC, also part of the City Football Group family. However, there doesn’t appear to be any interest in Bravo, who missed nearly all of last year with a ruptured Achilles after losing his starting spot to Ederson in his first year with the club following a move from FC Barcelona in Aug. 2016.

An NYCFC spokesperson strongly denied the rumor when contacted, saying there had been no conversations and there is no interest in Bravo joining the club.

Sean Johnson, who is entering his fourth season as NYCFC’s No. 1 goalkeeper and is in the USMNT mix, signed a contract extension on Oct. 11, 2018 and is six years younger than Bravo.