Aston Villa move for Joel Ordonez could cost £40m after second bid rejected for alternative centre-back
Ciaran McCarthy
Aston Villa are trying to sign centre-back Joel Ordonez for £35-40million after seeing a second offer for Taylor Harwood-Bellis rejected.
Though Villa have recruited seven new signings this summer, only one - Joao Gomes - started against Brighton. It was a nightmare debut, with the Villans losing 4-0 and the midfielder being sent off in the first half.
The result was a bleak one, without departed players such as Morgan Rogers and Ezri Konsa, as well as Emi Martinez and Ollie Watkins, who might well be leaving.
Following Konsa's exit to Premier League champions Arsenal, Villa have been looking at the defender market.
Insiders have stated Club Brugge's Joel Ordonez has been approached by the Villans as they look to add a centre-back to the mix.
Nicolo Schira is the latest to report on that pursuit, stating Villa are in talks over a £35-40million transfer. A contract until 2031 is said to be ready.
It's not clear how advanced the discussions are, but there is a clear sense at Villa to get a new centre-back through the door.
Second Taylor Harwood-Bellis offer rejected
Villa have also been courting Southampton defender Harwood-Bellis. However, per The Athletic, the Saints have rejected a second offer for him.
After an initial £18million bid was turned away, Villa have returned with an improved offer, which has also been rejected.
The value of the second bid is not revealed, just that it was higher than the first and has not been accepted by the Saints.
There is a sense among Villa fans that Harwood-Bellis is not the right profile of player to be going after, given an experienced England international has just left.
It has been pointed out that when Konsa joined, he was not Premier League ready, and needed time to adjust. With that said, a Championship defender joining doesn't sound like a bad addition.
But at the time Konsa joined, Villa were a newly-returning top-flight side without big expectations. They are now a Champions League club, who last season finished fourth in the Premier League and won the Europa League.
Ordonez, a man with over 20 Champions League appearances and one who played in the 2026 World Cup, is seen by some as a more favourable addition.
Whether or not Villa could get both men through the door remains to be seen.
