Aston Villa agree terms with £43m-rated centre-back who Liverpool rejected

Aston Villa have agreed personal terms with Club Brugge centre-back Joel Ordonez, though a fee remains the sticking point between the two clubs, TEAMtalk understands.

The 22-year-old Ecuadorian international is understood to have given his approval to a move to Villa Park, clearing the way for negotiations over a transfer fee.

Sources close to the talks indicate that Ordonez ranks among the main options Unai Emery’s side are considering to strengthen their defence before the summer window shuts.

Villa are keen to add further depth at the back after Ezri Konsa’s recent departure to Arsenal.

The Premier League outfit have already explored other avenues, including an approach for Southampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis, which has been unsuccessful so far, and view Ordonez as a high-potential addition who could develop into a long-term fixture.

Ordonez joined Club Brugge from Independiente del Valle in 2022 and has established himself as a regular in the Belgian side’s defence.

Standing at 6ft1, the defender combines physical presence with composure on the ball.

He has represented Ecuador at senior level, featuring during this summer’s World Cup, and extended his contract with Brugge until 2029 last year, underlining the Belgian club’s desire to retain him or extract a substantial fee.

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Aston Villa in talks over Ordonez transfer

Talks between Villa and Club Brugge are ongoing, with no agreement yet reached on the financial package.

Brugge are expected to demand up to £43m for a player who has impressed in both domestic and European competition.

The £43m price tag is the same fee Liverpool had informally agreed with Club Brugge back in January, before former manager Arne Slot decided to pull out of the deal.

Slot decided against the deal as he did not want it to affect what he could spend in the summer. Liverpool’s interest has since cooled after the appointment of new manager Andoni Iraola.

Villa, meanwhile, are determined to complete business in the closing stages of the window to ensure adequate cover and competition in central defence.

Should the clubs bridge the valuation gap, Ordonez would provide youthful energy and international experience to Emery’s squad.

With the deadline approaching, both parties remain in dialogue, and further progress is anticipated in the coming days as Villa prioritise bolstering their defensive options.

The potential arrival would mark another step in Villa’s summer reshaping. After poor start to the Premier League campaign, new players are desperately needed.

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