In the past transfer summer, Schalke 04 also tried to get Stefan Ortega. However, the keeper canceled the climber. Nevertheless, a possible move to royal blue was "definitely an issue" for him.

Alexander Schwolow is certainly not undisputed at Schalke. The number one always has uncertainties in it, while despite sometimes strong reflexes on the line, too few points could be recorded. This was mostly due to the clear results rather than to him.

Initially, however, royal blue dealt with Stefan Ortega in the summer before his cancellation ensured that Schwolow came into focus.

When asked about S04 by Sportbild, he now confirmed: "That was definitely an issue."

It was clear very early on that the Gelsenkircheners were trying to get him. Since it was foreseeable that he would leave Bielefeld, there was great interest in him. Ultimately, however, he decided against moving to Schalke - and signed for Manchester City.

"The longer I thought about it, the stronger the feeling became: I want to try it at City. At this level, in a different country, with a different culture," explained Ortega.

He had learned of the interest on the part of the Skyblues during his vacation in Mallorca. "We were just on the Rambla in Palma and bought an ice cream," he recalled vacationing with his wife and daughter. "I've always said to my agent before: Please only tell me about a club's interest when it's really concrete. And then he called me and said Manchester City."

In the end, S04 got nothing when it came to Ortega's services. The newcomer would have made a very good catch with him.

This article was originally published on 90min.com as Ortega admits Schalke was "definitely an issue".