Club Brugge defender Joel Ordonez has a “verbal agreement” to join Arsenal, according to reports in Ecuador.
El Diario claims that the Gunners are closing in on securing the signature of the 21-year-old. However, rivals Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain “are not giving up” in the battle for his services.
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Ordonez is widely regarded as one of the most promising young centre-backs in the world and that is reflected in Club Brugge’s asking price.
It is believed that the Belgian Pro League side will demand between €45m (£38m) and €50m (£42m) for the player.
What do fans need to know about Ordonez?
The Ecuadorian international came through the youth ranks of Independiente del Valle before making his senior debut against Guayaquil City in April 2022.
Ordonez made just 12 appearances before he was snapped up by Club Brugge the following summer. He was immediately sent to play for the club’s second string Club NXT in 2022/23, making 29 appearances in the Challenge Pro League prior to being promoted to the first team.
The centre-back impressed during the 23/24 season, playing 33 games, although a hamstring injury meant that most of his minutes came in the league playoff stage.
This campaign, Ordonez has established himself as a key player, helping Club Brugge win the Belgian Cup, to 2nd in the league table and the last 16 of the Champions League. He can be deployed at right-back if needed but he has exclusively been used in the middle of defence over the last 12 months.
Why are Arsenal interested in the centre-half?
Despite getting more game time since Gabriel‘s injury, Jaku Kiwior is reportedly keen on leaving the Emirates. The Polish international is expected to have a lot of suitors.
Takehiro Tomiyasu’s injury problems mean that manager Mikel Arteta could also do with more cover at right-back.
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