Aston Villa have opened negotiations with Club Brugge over a possible transfer for Ecuador international central defender Joel Ordonez, according to The Athletic.
The 22-year-old is one of three players being considered as a replacement for Ezri Konsa, who joined Arsenal on Friday.
Villa have also been in discussions with Southampton about Taylor Harwood-Bellis, but their £21m offer for the defender was rejected. Talks between the clubs remain ongoing, although they have yet to agree on the player’s valuation.
The Athletic reports that Ordonez could cost Aston Villa more than Harwood-Bellis if a deal can be reached with Club Brugge.
Ordonez joined the Belgian club in August 2022 after establishing himself in the Ecuadorian league. He has since won 20 caps for Ecuador and was included in the country’s squad for the 2026 World Cup.
The defender made 46 appearances for Club Brugge last season, scoring four goals. He also received six yellow cards and was sent off twice.
His current market value is estimated at €33m by Transfermarkt.
Villa’s interest in Ordonez comes after the departure of Konsa, who had been part of the club’s defensive options before moving to Arsenal. The Premier League club are now assessing several possible additions rather than relying on a single target, with Ordonez and Harwood-Bellis among the names under consideration.
No agreement has yet been reached between Aston Villa and Club Brugge, and the financial terms of any potential deal remain unclear. However, the Belgian side’s valuation is expected to be significant, particularly given Ordonez’s age, international experience and regular involvement at club level.
Ordonez’s spells in Ecuador and Belgium have led to his inclusion among the candidates for Villa’s defensive rebuild. His 46 appearances last season represented a substantial role for Club Brugge, while his four goals added an attacking contribution from central defence.
Villa’s discussions with Southampton are continuing despite the rejection of their initial £21m bid for Harwood-Bellis. The clubs have not yet resolved their differing assessments of the England defender, leaving Ordonez as an alternative option in the negotiations over Konsa’s successor.
For now, Aston Villa have not finalised a replacement, but talks with Club Brugge indicate that Ordonez has become a serious candidate. Any transfer would be expected to exceed the amount Villa offered for Harwood-Bellis, according to The Athletic.
