Aston Villa open talks to sign Club Brugge defender Joel Ordonez

Aston Villa has initiated discussions with Club Brugge regarding the potential acquisition of their center-back, Joel Ordonez. According to The Athletic, the English club is considering Ordonez as a replacement for Ezri Konsa in the upcoming summer transfer window. The Ecuadorian defender has previously caught the interest of various Premier League clubs, but Aston Villa appears to be the frontrunner to secure his services.

The 22-year-old Ordonez's pursuit by Villa came after Southampton declined a £18 million offer, including potential add-ons, for their own center-back, Taylor Harwood-Bellis. While negotiations with Southampton for Harwood-Bellis continue, Aston Villa remains open to exploring other alternatives, such as signing Ordonez.

Ordonez has represented Ecuador with 20 caps, including three appearances at the 2026 World Cup. During the 2022-23 season, he made ten appearances in the UEFA Champions League, demonstrating his capability to compete at that level. He achieved an impressive 94% pass completion rate and contributed 53 clearances and 1.48 tackles per league game. Additionally, Ordonez registered an average of one foul per match, showcasing his ability to perform effectively while maintaining discipline.

Aston Villa aims to secure a center-back replacement for Konsa, ideally with a younger player who possesses the potential for growth.