Aston Villa Targets Joel Ordonez as Liverpool Interest Wanes
Aston Villa has reportedly initiated discussions regarding a transfer for Joel Ordonez, the Club Brugge defender, as they aim to fill the void left by Ezri Konsa's departure to Arsenal. With Konsa’s exit, Villa seeks to strengthen their defense, and Ordonez appears to be a primary target. According to The Athletic, some preliminary contacts have already occurred regarding this potential deal. In addition to Ordonez, Villa recently had a bid for Taylor Harwood-Bellis rejected, indicating their urgency in securing a reliable replacement. Ordonez, a talented young Ecuador international, has attracted interest from multiple Premier League clubs. However, it seems Aston Villa has positioned itself as the frontrunner for his signature. If a transfer materializes, Club Brugge is reportedly asking for around €45m for the 22-year-old player. Villa, having generated funds from the sale of Konsa and other notable players like Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans this summer, is in a better financial position to pursue this deal. Yet, the club has faced financial challenges, leading to various sales and spending limitations. Meanwhile, Liverpool’s interest in Ordonez appears to have diminished. Despite this, the Reds could still benefit from his talents in defense, especially after Ibrahima Konate left on a free transfer this summer and Virgil van Dijk aging. Ordonez represents an ideal long-term signing, leaving some Liverpool fans hoping they can still vie for him, even with Villa currently in the lead.
Source: CaughtOffside - 2026-08-23