Palace attempt to hijack Villa move for Ordonez
August 26, 2026 19:10
Crystal Palace have entered negotiations with Club Brugge over the transfer of Ecuador centre-back Joel Ordonez, attempting to overturn Aston Villa’s interest in the player. Villa had recently moved for Ordonez after talks over Taylor Harwood-Bellis stalled between Villa and Southampton.
The Palace approach follows their increased recruitment drive at centre-back this week. They completed a loan for Axel Disasi and are pursuing another defender after Chadi Riad was stretchered off in the match against Everton. It is not yet confirmed which club — Palace or Villa — will ultimately sign Ordonez.
KEY CONTEXT
- Ordonez is a product of Club Brugge’s academy and has made 128 senior appearances for the Belgian club, scoring seven goals.
- He featured heavily for Brugge last season, appearing 46 times, but has not started the new campaign because of a fractured metatarsal.
- Ordonez represented Ecuador at the recent World Cup, playing in all but one of their matches before Ecuador were eliminated by Mexico in the round of 32.
- Aston Villa had looked to sign Taylor Harwood-Bellis but failed to agree a valuation with Southampton; Villa then increased their interest in Ordonez.
- Palace have made six signings this summer so far, including Dwight McNeil and Takehiro Tomiyasu, and have added Disasi on loan as they seek further defensive reinforcements.
WHY IT MATTERS
A move for Ordonez would address clear defensive needs for both clubs: Palace are accelerating centre-back recruitment after an in-game injury to Chadi Riad, while Villa lost a key defender in Ezri Konsa to Arsenal last week and remain active in the market after Harwood-Bellis talks faltered. Ordonez’s experience at Brugge and involvement at the World Cup make him a notable target, though his current metatarsal injury affects his immediate availability.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Whether Palace’s talks with Club Brugge lead to a completed transfer and how quickly Ordonez can be made available given his fractured metatarsal.
- If Villa maintain their interest in Ordonez despite Palace’s approach, or pursue alternative targets following the breakdown over Harwood-Bellis.
- How Palace manage their defensive options in the short term after signing Disasi on loan and dealing with Riad’s injury.
KEY FACTS
- Palace have opened talks with Club Brugge for Joel Ordonez.
- Villa moved for Ordonez after failing to agree a fee with Southampton for Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
- Ordonez has 128 appearances and seven goals for Club Brugge; 46 appearances last season.
- He has missed the start of the season with a fractured metatarsal.
- Ordonez played for Ecuador at the World Cup, missing one game before the round-of-32 exit to Mexico.
- Palace have completed six signings this summer, including Dwight McNeil, Takehiro Tomiyasu and loan signing Axel Disasi.