The Lower Saxony club remain on the hunt for a new number one this summer, and Ortega's ability on the ball and comfort building play from the back are seen as an ideal fit for head coach Christian Titz's system, which places a heavy emphasis on playing out from deep.
Ortega made his name in Germany with Arminia Bielefeld before moving to Manchester City in 2022, where he spent several seasons as a highly rated deputy to Ederson, earning praise for his shot-stopping and composure whenever called upon in cup competitions and beyond.
He left City for Nottingham Forest in the winter window, but was not offered a new contract by the Tricky Trees, leaving him a free agent this summer without a club heading into pre-season.
Whether a move to the 2. Bundesliga would appeal to a goalkeeper of Ortega's pedigree remains to be seen. Hannover currently regard Matheo Raab, 27, as the favourite to start in goal, meaning any move for Ortega would likely see him compete for the position rather than walk straight into the side.
The club's search for reinforcements between the posts continues regardless of how the Ortega situation develops, with Titz keen to strengthen the position before the new season gets under way.
For Hannover, who have made no secret of their ambitions to push for promotion back to the Bundesliga, adding a goalkeeper with Ortega's top-flight and European experience would represent a notable coup, even if his role would likely be to push Raab rather than to guarantee him a starting place from day one.
Nothing is imminent at this stage, with the contact described as an early approach rather than the opening of formal negotiations, and Ortega himself yet to indicate which direction he is leaning as he weighs up his next move.