Liverpool are being heavily linked with a move for Club Brugge centre-back Joel Ordonez and rumours have been rife as of late.
The Reds need another defender, everyone knows that, but whether they actually sign one in January is another matter.
One player who seemed the most likely was Ordonez from Club Brugge, but reports now state that they were merely scouting the defender and it is unlikely they will sign him before the summer.
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Marc Guehi pictured smiling during Crystal Palace training (Credit: Getty Images/Warren Little). Ibrahima Konate lines up ahead of Liverpool's Premier League match against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium (Credit: Getty Images/Visionhaus). Giovanni Leoni trains during a session with Liverpool (Credit: Getty Images/Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC). Nico Schlotterbeck gestures to the crowd during Borussia Dortmund's Bundesliga match against RB Leipzig at Signal Iduna Park (Credit: Getty Images/Max Ellerbrake - firo sportphoto).
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However, there is still a chance they look elsewhere instead, with a former Belgian Pro League manager urging Liverpool to do just that for one big reason.
Liverpool told that Joel Ordonez is not ready for the step up
Ordonez has established himself into a very solid centre-back in Belgium, with the 21-year-old catching the eye of many top clubs.
It looks like he would rather join Liverpool, though, due to the sporting project they have, but former manager Hein Vanhaezebrouck, who coached in the Belgian Pro League well over 10 years, has said that Liverpool would be silly to buy him now.
“If Brugge can get €49m (£42m) for Ordonez, they should sell him without hesitation”, he told Voetbal Krant.
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“No one in Belgium is worth that much. Ordonez isn’t ready for a club at this level yet. He needs guidance.”
Chelsea were also interested in the defender but have since distanced themselves, showing that he clearly has talent, but for the price being quoted, perhaps it is better to look elsewhere.
Why don’t Liverpool just sign Marc Guehi?
How would YOU react if Marc Guehi joins Man City instead of Liverpool in January?
Marc Guehi is now being targeted by Man City in January
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Ordonez would cost around a similar price, if not more, than Marc Guehi, so Liverpool making a move for the Ecuadorian feels a little unwise.
Guehi is Premier League-proven, counts as a homegrown player and was keen to join the Reds, making it a bit of a no-brainer if they are willing to spend that kind of money.
Granted, Guehi is four years older but he is still only 25, meaning Liverpool should get a significant return on their investment in terms of what he will add for years to come.
They could even get him for free in the summer, suggesting that Ordonez would not happen until that saga is concluded one way or another, but not trying for Guehi one more time would be a big error.
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