Aston Villa eye cut-price £25m deal for Club Brugge star Joel Ordonez as Liverpool lurk
Aston Villa have joined Newcastle United and Liverpool in the race to sign Club Brugge defender Joel Ordonez, Caught Offside reports.
According to the news outlet’s website [19 November], the 20-year-old has impressed the Premier League trio with his performances in Belgium and is set to become the subject of an intense transfer battle in January.
Ordonez has started all four Club Brugge matches in the Champions League this season, including the 1-0 win against Aston Villa.
Unai Emery seemed impressed with what he saw from the young centre-back, who can be pried away from Club Brugge for a cut-price £25 million fee.
Joel Ordonez would be smart business for Aston Villa
While Liverpool’s reported interest could throw a spanner into Aston Villa’s plans, the club could argue to the defender that Villa Park is a more desirable landing spot.
Arne Slot removed Jarell Quansah at half-time during the 2-0 win against Ipswich Town on the Premier League opening day, and the young defender has been unable to reclaim his place in the starting lineup every since.
Meanwhile, Pau Torres is arguably the only nailed-on starter in central defence for Aston Villa, with the Spaniard lining up alongside three different centre-back partners in his last three outings.
Diego Carlos started the 2-0 loss against Liverpool before the international break, but his future in Birmingham is far from certain. He was expected to leave the club in the summer before a move to Fulham collapsed.
The Villans have conceded 10 goals across all competitions in a five-match barren run, with the squad crying out for defensive stability ahead of a pivotal period heading into the New Year.
Ordonez could be tempted to jump ship in the winter transfer window with Club Brugge trailing behind Jupiler Pro League leaders Genk in third place and unlikely to progress to the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Emery has Torres and Ezri Konsa approaching their late 20s, as well as 31-year-old Tyrone Mings at centre-back, so the side could use a talented youngster to develop into a top Premier League talent to freshen up the defensive ranks.
With top flight and Champions League experience to match, £25million for a talented 20-year-old is a no-brainer for Aston Villa.
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