Arsenal have reportedly made a verbal agreement with Club Brugge defender Joel Ordonez as an alternative target to Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen.
Huijsen was a target for Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool, however, the 19-year-old looks set for a move to Real Madrid after the Spanish side agreed to pay his £50m release clause to sign him for Xabi Alonso’s first season in charge.
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This means that Arsenal will need to look at alternative targets if they want to add more depth at the centre-back position, and reports have emerged suggesting that they already have that alternative.
According to FreshArsenal, the Gunners have reached a verbal agreement with Club Brugge defender Joel Ordonez as Mikel Arteta aims to reinforce his defence behind their star centre-back partnership of Gabriel and William Saliba.
20-year-old Ordonez has made 47 appearances in all competitions for Club Brugge this season, scoring three goals and providing one assist. He is expected to cost around £25m, which for such a young, promising defender, is good value for the Gunners.
The report says that Arsenal have also shortlisted Valencia defender Cristian Mosquera, however Ordonez is their preferred target behind Huijsen, and the more likely signing this summer.
The Ecuadorian is under contract with the Belgian side until 2028, meaning that Arsenal may have to try and tempt him with a move to North London as Brugge could be reluctant to sell. He is a versatile defender too, as he can also play at right-back should Arteta have the need.
Huijsen move secures Saliba’s future at Arsenal
Arsenal will initially be disappointed that they have seemingly missed out on signing Huijsen from Bournemouth, however, it could be considered a blessing in disguise.
Real Madrid had previously identified William Saliba as their top target at the centre-back position, with reports suggesting that they could try to tempt the Frenchman to move to the Spanish capital and leave the Emirates.
However, after making a significant £50m investment on Huijsen, it looks unlikely that Madrid will also go after Saliba, meaning that the 23-year-old’s future at Arsenal seems more certain than before, which is great news for Gunners fans.
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