The Ecuador international has been considered among several options to replace Ezri Konsa, who joined Arsenal last week. Emile Windal / Getty ImagesAug. 25, 2026 9:22 am EDT Updated Aston Villa are progressing in a deal to sign defender Joel Ordonez from Club Brugge.The proposed deal is for an initial loan with an obligation for the Premier League club to make the move permanent for a fee in the region of €30million (£25m).The Athletic reported on Sunday that Unai Emery’s side had made an initial approach to sign the 22-year-old defender, having previously revealed that Ordonez was highly admired and had been tracked by Villa.The Ecuador international has been considered among several options to replace Ezri Konsa, who joined Arsenal last week in a deal worth £51m plus add-ons.Villa have also pursued Southampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis, seeing two offers rejected for the former Manchester City academy product. Southampton have made clear their valuation for the 24-year-old and Villa are presently unwilling to meet it.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 began their Premier League season with a 4-0 away defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday, raising a number of questions about the squad’s readiness for the new campaign.It has been a summer of change at Villa Park with Konsa joining Youri Tielemans and Morgan Rogers as high-profile departures, while there remains uncertainty over the futures of Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Martinez.It has not all been exits, however, with six new signings coming through door including goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, left-back Matteo Ruggeri and midfielders Joao Gomes and Johan Manzambi. Right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka and forward Alejandro Garnacho have also joined on loans.