Liverpool close to signing Club Brugge centre-back Joel Ordonez
The 21-year-old right-sided defender has already made 105 appearances for the Belgian side
Liverpool are reportedly closing in on the signing of Club Brugge centre-back Joel Ordonez, with reports in South America claiming a deal worth around £35million is nearing completion.
The 21-year-old right-sided defender has already made 105 appearances for the Belgian side, and outlets in Ecuador, including Bolavip, suggest an agreement of around €40m (£34.9m) is close.
Tera Deportes adds that personal terms have already been finalised, with Ordonez set to earn around £60,000 per week – a figure in line with Liverpool’s wage structure.
While the reports are yet to be confirmed by club sources, Liverpool’s interest in Joel Ordonez is well established.
A move would address a growing need in Arne Slot’s defence following a season-ending injury to Giovanni Leoni, while Joe Gomez is also currently sidelined.
That situation has forced 19-year-old Wellity Lucky into the first-team squad as cover for Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.
Uncertainty surrounding Konate’s long-term future has further underlined the need for defensive reinforcements, with no guarantee that Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi will arrive despite coming close to a move in the summer.
Ordonez began his career at Deportivo Azogues before progressing through Independiente del Valle’s academy and earning a move to Club Brugge in 2023.
He has 14 caps for Ecuador since making his international debut in March 2024 and can also operate at right-back if required.
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