Ordonez's move to Palace in doubt after medical
August 28, 2026 15:35
BBC Sport reports that Club Brugge centre-back Joel Ordonez’s proposed switch to Crystal Palace has been complicated by findings during his medical, leaving the Premier League club to decide whether to complete the transfer. Palace had agreed an initial loan deal with an option to buy after entering talks ahead of Aston Villa.
The 22-year-old, who played for Ecuador at this summer’s World Cup, is recovering from a broken metatarsal. Palace were aware of that injury when negotiating, but the scan is understood to show the problem is worse than the club originally believed.
KEY CONTEXT
- BBC Sport says Palace accelerated their search for defensive cover after Chadi Riad was stretchered off in the draw with Everton.
- Palace have already brought in Axel Disasi on loan from Chelsea this week, but the club still wanted to add another central defender — which is why Ordonez was targeted.
- The transfer arrangement for Ordonez was described as an initial loan with an option to make the move permanent at the end of the season.
WHY IT MATTERS
Ordonez’s medical results put a potential reinforcement for Palace’s back line in doubt at a time when they are short of centre-back options following Riad’s injury. Although the club secured Disasi on loan, the uncertainty over Ordonez means Palace may have fewer immediate options than they planned to bolster their defence.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Whether Crystal Palace decide to proceed with Ordonez’s loan-and-option-to-buy deal following the medical.
- Any further recruitment moves by Palace for a centre-back now that the Ordonez transfer is uncertain.
KEY FACTS
- Joel Ordonez is a 22-year-old Club Brugge defender who featured for Ecuador at the World Cup.