Liverpool are merely “scouting” Club Brugge defender Joel Ordonez, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Reacting to claims in Ecuador that the 21-year-old is poised to make the switch to Anfield in a deal that could be worth €40m (£35m), Romano said:
“Many questions on Joel Ordonez with reports saying that a deal is already done with Liverpool. What I can tell you guys is that the relationship with Liverpool and Brugge is very good, it’s an excellent relationship, this is what I’m told.”
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“But at the moment Liverpool are scouting Ordonez, as they are scouting many players, but nothing done or agreed at this stage.”
Where did the Ordonez links come from?
It had been reported by Bola VIP that the Reds had agreed personal terms with the centre-back, before other sources in the Ecuadorian media then made similar assertions.
However, no journalist with close ties to the Merseyside club has suggested that an approach for Ordonez has been made.
As Romano points out, he is just one of several defenders who has been scouted by sporting director Richard Hughes and his recruitment team.
Will Liverpool sign a centre-half this month?
Joe Gomez is expected to be back on the bench for the game against Fulham, so there is at least some backup available for the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.
However, head coach Arne Slot still doesn’t have a lot of depth in that position. Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi remains on the club’s radar, but there is no indication that a deal for the England international will be revived during the January transfer window. At the moment, it appears the Reds are only interested in pursuing him when he becomes a free agent next summer.
It remains to be seen whether other names, in addition to Ordonez, are considered as potential transfer targets this month.
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