Aston Villa are working on signing a new centre-back, after Ezri Konsa’s sale to Arsenal last week.
The Europa League winners have Club Brugge’s Joel Ordóñez on their list and have already made advances.
Aston Villa’s deal with Club Brugge missing
That’s according to Gazet van Antwerpen, who cover the concrete steps taken by Unai Emery’s side to sign the defender.
Joel Ordóñez suffered a metatarsal fracture in Ecuador’s World Cup defeat to Mexico in July. The expectation is for him to return in seven to 10 weeks, and he’s on the sidelines.
That hasn’t stopped Aston Villa from launching a concrete attempt to secure his services late in the window.
The 22-year-old is also keen on a move to Villa Park and has reached an agreement with the Villans for personal terms. The two clubs have to find an agreement, and that’s missing.
Aston Villa advancing
The Premier League side are in advanced negotiations with Club Brugge for the defender’s transfer.
GVA states the operation is ‘entering the decisive phase early this week’, which indicates all parties are in favour of this move.
On winter deadline day, Club Brugge turned down Crystal Palace’s €40m proposal for the Ecuador international.
The newspaper points that out and explains the Jupiler Pro League side can’t request the same figure from Aston Villa because of his injury. In short, Joel Ordóñez’s price will be less than €40m.
There’s no mention of Club Brugge’s price, and with a contract until 2029, Transfermarkt value him at €33m.
GVA end their report by stating: ‘Another possibility is that Ordóñez continues working on his recovery at Club Brugge and makes a top transfer in the winter. Although, logically, he would prefer to move to the Premier League already. After all, with the arrival of Lee Han-beom, the competition in Club Brugge’s defence has intensified.’
There will be more developments in the coming hours or days.
Ordóñez has played 128 matches for Club Brugge, and 46 were from last season.
