Palace join race to sign Club Brugge defender Ordonez
Crystal Palace have opened talks with Club Brugge over Joel Ordonez, competing with Aston Villa for the defender. Villa moved for Ordonez after failing to agree a fee for Taylor Harwood-Bellis. Ordonez is valued at £40m.
Palace’s urgency stems from Chadi Riad’s injury against Everton, which prompted them to accelerate their search for defensive reinforcements. They have already secured Axel Disasi on loan, yet still seek another centre-back to bolster their options before the window closes.
Ordonez, a 22-year-old Ecuador international, has been a long-term target for Palace. He missed the start of this season with a fractured metatarsal but featured 46 times for Brugge last campaign, totaling 128 appearances and seven goals for the Belgian club. Villa entered the race after failing to agree a fee with Southampton for Taylor Harwood-Bellis, following Ezri Konsa’s departure to Arsenal.
This transfer battle could reshape defensive depth for both Premier League clubs, affecting their competitiveness this season. Palace’s pursuit may signal ambition to solidify their backline, while Villa’s interest reflects the pressure of replacing a key starter. For Ordonez, a move could accelerate his development in a stronger league, potentially boosting Ecuador’s national team prospects. Fans may see heightened squad competition, though the £40m valuation could limit broader market activity.