Aston Villa Pursues Joel Ordonez After Taylor Harwood-Bellis Talks Break Down
Aston Villa is actively seeking to recruit central defender Joel Ordonez from Club Brugge following unsuccessful negotiations with Southampton over Taylor Harwood-Bellis. The Premier League club, which recently transferred England defender Ezri Konsa to Arsenal, is accelerating its efforts to secure Ordonez, with discussions ongoing. Club Brugge seeks a minimum fee of £40 million for the Ecuador international.
At just 22 years old, Ordonez has emerged as a prominent talent, making 124 appearances for Club Brugge since joining from Independiente del Valle in 2022. He showcased his abilities on the international stage by representing Ecuador in the recent World Cup.
While Villa initially targeted Harwood-Bellis, reports indicate a significant discrepancy in valuation, as their £18 million offer was rejected by Southampton. It remains uncertain whether a deal for the 24-year-old can be revitalized, prompting Unai Emery’s squad to explore alternative options.
Villa is under pressure to bolster its lineup ahead of the transfer deadline on September 1, particularly after suffering a 4-0 defeat to Brighton in their opening match of the season. The team has already seen several key players, including Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne, and Konsa, leave the club.
Additionally, questions concerning the future of striker Ollie Watkins arise, as he has attracted interest from Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia.
Aston Villa are working to sign Club Brugge central defender Joel Ordonez after failing to agree a deal with Southampton for Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
The Premier League side, who sold England defender Ezri Konsa to Arsenal last week, are accelerating their interest in Ordonez, with discussions ongoing and his Belgian Pro League club wanting a minimum £40m fee for the Ecuador international.
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The 22-year-old centre-back, who played for his country at this summer’s World Cup, has made 124 appearances for Club Brugge since joining in 2022 from Independiente del Valle.
Villa had targeted Harwood-Bellis, but there is understood to be a significant gap in valuation between them and Southampton after an offer worth £18m was rejected.
It remains to be seen whether a transfer for the 24-year-old can still be revived but, as things stand, Unai Emery’s side have moved on to other targets.
Villa lost their opening game of the season 4-0 to Brighton on Sunday and are working to strengthen their squad before the transfer deadline on 1 September.
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They have lost a host of key players this season with Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne and Konsa all departing.
There are also questions over Ollie Watkins’ future with the striker a target for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia.
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