Crystal Palace moves to outbid Aston Villa for Club Brugge defender Joel Ordonez
Crystal Palace have entered negotiations with Club Brugge to sign defender Joel Ordonez, challenging Aston Villa’s ongoing pursuit.
Aston Villa initiated a bid for Club Brugge’s 22-year-old Ecuadorian defender Joel Ordonez after failing to reach an agreement with Southampton for Taylor Harwood-Bellis. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace, prompted by centre-back Chadi Riad’s stretchered exit in the recent Everton match, have started talks with the Belgian side for the same player. Palace have already arranged a loan for Axel Disasi and see Ordonez as a strategic long-term target.
Villa, which recently sold key defender Ezri Konsa to Arsenal, shifted focus to Ordonez following a valuation gap over Harwood-Bellis. Club Brugge has placed a £40m price tag on Ordonez, and negotiations continue between the clubs.
Why it matters
The tug-of-war over a promising defender could reshape defensive options for two Premier League clubs.
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