Aston Villa are optimistic about completing a move for Joel Ordonez from Club Brugge, with the transfer structured as a loan followed by a mandatory purchase.
The 22-year-old defender became Villa’s main focus after they decided against meeting Southampton’s asking price for Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who had been considered as cover for Ezri Konsa.
Ordonez is currently sidelined through injury but is anticipated to recover in September. The club views him as a prudent long-term acquisition given his established reputation in Belgian football.
He previously encountered Villa on three occasions during the 2024/25 Champions League campaign. The Ecuadorian defender notably kept a shutout in Villa’s 1-0 group stage victory at the Jan Breydel Stadium in November.
Villa intend to finalise terms with Brugge for a permanent transfer next summer valued at approximately £25 million. The initial loan arrangement will allow the club to allocate resources across other parts of the squad.
The club also requires additional firepower in attack before the transfer deadline closes on Tuesday, September 1.
Ollie Watkins’ future remains uncertain amid persistent interest from Al-Hilal, who have already had four proposals turned down for the forward.
Watkins is understood to be eager to pursue the opportunity and was absent from the lineup that suffered a 4-0 defeat to Brighton in the opening match of the Premier League season.