Ordonez was part of the Ecuador squad at this summer's World Cup John Thys / AFP via Getty ImagesAug. 23, 2026 2:57 am EDT Updated Aston Villa have made an approach to sign defender Joel Ordonez from Club Brugge.The Athletic revealed on August 21 that Ordonez was highly admired by Villa and had been tracked, but there was uncertainty as to whether the club were prepared to offer the level of finance it would require to sign the 22-year-old. This was due to also needing to strengthen other positions, most notably in attack.However, Villa have made contact with the Belgium side for the Ecuador international and he is among a list of three options to replace Ezri Konsa in central defence, who joined Arsenal on Friday in a deal worth £51million plus add-ons.
Ordonez’s approach comes after Villa had a £18million bid plus add-ons rejected for Taylor Harwood-Bellis. The 24-year-old was left out of Southampton’s 2-1 victory against Stoke City on Saturday due to doubts around his future, but Villa and his club currently remain apart on valuation, with discussions ongoing.If a permanent agreement is reached, the overall package to recruit Ordonez would likely be more expensive than Harwood Bellis.Ordonez joined Club Brugge in August 2022 after coming through the ranks at Ecuadorian clubs Deportivo Azogues and Independiente del Valle. He has 20 caps for Ecuador, including three appearances at this summer’s World Cup.Villa begin their Premier League season away to Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.
