Aston Villa are in advanced negotiations with Club Brugge to sign central defender Joel Ordóñez after agreeing personal terms with the 22-year-old. Unai Emery’s side are working to reinforce their squad before the September 1 transfer deadline following a difficult opening defeat and the high-profile departure of Ezri Konsa.
Personal Terms Agreed as Villa Target Defensive Reinforcements
Aston Villa have made decisive moves in the summer transfer market following the departure of England defender Ezri Konsa, who joined Arsenal on Friday in a deal worth £51million plus add-ons. To plug the gap in central defence, the club have agreed personal terms with Club Brugge defender Joel Ordóñez.
The 22-year-old Ecuador international is keen on the move to Villa Park, leaving an agreement between the two clubs as the primary hurdle. According to reports from Gazet van Antwerpen, negotiations between the Premier League side and the Belgian Pro League club have entered their decisive phase early this week.
The Valuation Gap and Southampton Pursuit
Ordóñez emerged as a prime target after Villa pursued Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis. Villa submitted an £18million bid plus add-ons that was rejected, leaving a significant valuation gap between the two clubs. Harwood-Bellis was left out of Southampton’s 2-1 victory against Stoke City due to uncertainties surrounding his future, but discussions regarding that potential deal remain apart.
Unai Emery’s side ultimately shifted focus to the Belgian league. While Club Brugge previously rejected a €40m offer from Crystal Palace for the defender in January, the defender’s current physical status could alter the final fee. Club Brugge had previously wanted a minimum £40m fee, but current injury complications may see the Belgian club accept a lower figure. Bart Verhaeghe & co had previously kept the player through past windows with an eye on the World Cup 2026, though Club Brugge have already prepared for his potential exit by signing South Korean international Lee Hanbeom as a replacement from FC Midtjylland.
Injury Complicates Immediate Availability
While personal terms are settled, Ordóñez would not provide an immediate fix on the pitch for Emery’s squad. The defender suffered a metatarsal fracture during his country’s World Cup defeat to Mexico in July and is expected to remain sidelined for another seven to ten weeks.
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Despite the recovery timeline, Ordóñez brings considerable pedigree. He has earned 20 caps for Ecuador—including three appearances at this summer’s World Cup—and has made 128 total appearances for Club Brugge (including 46 last season) since arriving in August 2022 from Independiente del Valle, having also spent time in the youth ranks at Deportivo Azogues.
Exploring Alternative Defensive Options
The defensive rebuild may not stop with one acquisition. Unai Emery is also exploring a late move for AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori. The former Chelsea academy graduate is no longer part of Ruben Amorim’s plans at the Serie A club, with Milan open to selling him before the window closes.
Milan are reportedly valuing Tomori at around €15 million (£12.5 million) with his contract running until 2027. Following Villa’s opening 4-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday, reports in Italy via Sport Witness indicate the result could prompt the club to accelerate their interest in Tomori alongside the pursuit of Ordóñez to shore up a backline hit hard by departures.
Wider Squad Pressures Before the Deadline
The defensive overhaul comes against the backdrop of broader squad departures. Alongside Konsa, Villa have lost Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, and Lucas Digne this season. Meanwhile, uncertainty lingers over Ollie Watkins amid strong transfer interest from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, leaving Emery facing a critical final week to strengthen the squad before the September 1 deadline.
