West Ham are interested in Club Brugge defender Joel Ordonez but their chances of securing his services are pretty slim, according to ExWHUEmployee.
Speaking on The West Ham Way Podcast (quotes via their website) the insider claimed that the Ecuadorian international is on the club’s radar, along with Ardon Jashari, but competition from two Premier League rivals will make things difficult:
“We also like his Brugge teammate Joel Ordonez, an Ecuadorian international who is 21 years of age, although [there are] a lot of clubs after him, including Arsenal and Chelsea, so unlikely.”
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Ordonez is a centre-back by trade, having made 47 appearances in all competitions for Club Brugge this season.
West Ham would have to pay an enormous fee for Ordonez
When interest from the Premier League first emerged back in March, it was reported that Ordonez’s asking price was between €45m (£38m) and €50m (£42m).
Considering he could cost just as much as Max Kilman, despite having no Premier League experience, that is not a fee you can see the Hammers paying under any circumstances.
Other centre-halves are being looked at
While the Ecuadorian may not be top of the list of transfer targets, bringing in reinforcements for the middle of defence is expected to be a high priority for both head coach Graham Potter and his head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay.
Ex has recently confirmed that Feyenoord’s David Hancko is among the candidates, although again, Chelsea could be one of their main rivals for his signature.
Burnley’s CJ Egan-Riley looks like a more realistic option, considering he is available on a free transfer with his contract set to expire this summer. AC Milan’s Malick Thiaw has been mentioned as another potential target in the Italian press. However, there will be competition to snap him up as well.
Click here to see West Ham’s first team squad for the 2024/25 season