Steffen’s summer move in doubt after he goes under the knife
ZACK Steffen’s expected Manchester City move this summer could be in doubt after the goalkeeper was forced to undergo knee surgery at the end of his Middlesbrough loan spell.
The goalkeeper was ever-present under Michael Carrick as he played a crucial role in Boro’s climb up the Championship table and run to the play-offs.
However, he missed four games early in the campaign as well as the USA’s final training camp before the World Cup with a knee problem.
While Boro and City were able to rehabilitate him without surgery at the time in order for the 28-year-old to continue playing on Teesside, it would appear the problem could not be solved long-term without going under the knife.
Steffen posted two pictures of himself with his left leg heavily bandaged while he was on crutches in one of the pictures.
He could face four months on the sidelines as he recovers from surgery, which would set his return for sometime in September, potentially into October.
If so, that would put his desired Manchester City exit in serious doubt.
Though he has two years remaining on his contract at the Etihad, Steffen revealed during the recent international break he expects to leave the club this summer, his heart set on playing first-team football after his successful year at the Riverside.
However, with City demanding a high transfer fee and Steffen’s City wage way higher than Boro could even come close to matching after failing to win promotion from the Premier League, a return to Teesside always seemed unlikely for the USA international.