Chelsea have withdrawn from negotiations to sign Club Brugge defender Joel Ordonez, according to reports in Ecuador.
The Blues have been linked with the centre-back on and off over the past 12 months, but Bola VIP have confirmed that Enzo Maresca’s side are no longer among the frontrunners to sign the player.
Ordonez is said to be more likely to join either Liverpool or Inter Milan when the January transfer window opens.
Club Brugge were reportedly holding out for a fee in the region of €40m (£35m) for the Ecuadorian international.
Shearer has urged Chelsea to reinforce the centre of defence
The Premier League’s all-time top scorer, Alan Shearer, says the Blues’ recent dip in form proves that further reinforcements are required to make them genuine title contenders:
Most Read on Chelsea News
“For me, I think they’re a top quality centre-half away and a brilliant centre-forward away. So, I think they’re two two players away from me.”
Ordonez would have added extra depth in the centre-back position, although some would dispute whether he is the “top quality” option that Shearer is advocating for. He is relatively inexperienced at the highest level, having made just over 100 appearances for Club Brugge.
Who could Chelsea target instead of Ordonez?
Antonio Rudiger has been linked with a return to Stamford Bridge, but that is purely speculation based on the fact that he could leave Real Madrid when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Jeremy Jacquet is a potential candidate. The Rennes star has been likened to William Saliba, and he was linked with Arsenal last summer. Nottingham Forest‘s Murillo is another name that has been on the club’s radar for quite some time, although his asking price could put the Blues off from making an approach.
Read more about the Chelsea First Team Squad for 2025/26 here