Aston Villa have reportedly made an approach for Club Brugge defender Joel Ordonez as our search for a replacement for Ezri Konsa continues.
The 22-year-old joined the Belgian side in 2023 after coming through the ranks in his homeland of Ecuador, and he has since gone on to make 128 appearances for the club while earning 20 caps for his country.
He’s widely touted as one of the most talented young centre-halves in Europe, and with Champions League experience, pedigree of playing at the top level and winning trophies during his time in Brugge, there is a lot to be excited about now that Villa have seemingly stepped up their interest.
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According to The Athletic, Villa have now made an approach to Club Brugge for Ordonez, and while it’s noted that he has been monitored and admired by Villa for some time, it remains to be seen if we can reach an agreement over a transfer fee as it’s suggested that it has been a point of uncertainty as to whether we could reach the valuation set.
However, now that we’ve made contact and an approach, that would suggest that we feel as though we are in a position to open negotiations and try to get a deal done, and so time will tell if talks advance as the Ecuadorian international becomes our priority for the position.
It comes after Konsa’s move to Arsenal earlier this week, and while Victor Lindelof will step in and partner Pau Torres in the heart of our defence in the short term, there is an obvious need for a long-term solution too.
Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis has also been linked with a potential move to join Villa in recent days, and so perhaps if Ordonez proves to be too expensive then he will be the next option up, but there will no doubt be a sense for many Villa fans that Ordonez will hopefully emerge as the priority and we can get a transfer deal done.
Losing Konsa was a blow given his experience, leadership and defensive qualities having been such a pillar of the team throughout his seven years with us but particularly during our recent success under Unai Emery, but with the Villa boss rebuilding his squad and bringing in plenty of young talent to start this new cycle, Ordonez could fit the mould of what we’re constructing perfectly.
