Man City boss Guardiola can lend Maresca helping hand with first Leicester deal

New Leicester boss Enzo Maresca is reportedly looking to raid old club Manchester City for goalkeeper Zack Steffen. The USMNT shot-stopper is due to return to the Etihad Stadium this summer following a loan spell with Middlesbrough in the Championship.

Steffen featured 44 times in the league last season and was one of the standout goalkeepers in the division – it appears his form has now seemingly impressed the Foxes.

According to The Telegraph, Pep Guardiola’s former assistant Maresca is now looking to sign Steffen as his new No 1 goalkeeper at the King Power Stadium.

Leicester are targeting an immediate return to the top-flight following their shock relegation from the Premier League and one of the key areas in need of improvement within their squad is between the sticks.

Danny Ward was faced with widespread scrutiny last season before Daniel Iversen was handed a late chance to impress.

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Now Maresca could call upon close friend Guardiola for a solution and with Steffen targeting regular football, a transfer is certainly viable.

Steffen had been operating as Ederson’s deputy prior to Stefan Ortega’s move to the Etihad Stadium last summer.

But now Ortega has claimed the No 2 spot at City and Steffen’s days with the treble winners appear to be numbered.

During the 2021/22 season, Steffen featured four times in all competitions for City but his season will be best remembered for his mistake in the FA Cup semi-final defeat to Liverpool.

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The American was hesitant in possession and was tackled on the line by Sadio Mane who doubled Liverpool’s advantage in their 3-2 victory on route to FA Cup glory.

If the deal is completed, Steffen may not be the only arrival from City.

Maresca has already hinted he would be open to signing some of the club’s best young talents on loan next season.

He told The Telegraph: “One or two of them would do us nicely! City really do have a lot of young players that I know very well, having worked with them at under-23 level and coached there this season.”

Leicester are set to make huge changes to their squad this summer as they prepare to part company with several key players.

James Maddison is in advanced talks to join Tottenham, who are long-term admirers of the playmaker.

Tottenham midfielder Harry Winks could be heading the other way in a separate transaction altogether.

Maddison has been on holiday with close friend and current team-mate Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall but he is expected to be headed for north London in the coming weeks.

Harvey Barnes is also attracting strong Premier League interest after notching 13 top-flight goals last season.

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