Club Brugge’s Joel Ordóñez has publicly expressed his admiration for Liverpool, after Crystal Palace’s failed attempt to sign him.
Friday’s edition of Gazet van Antwerpen has a detailed interview with the 21-year-old. He talked about his desire to move to the Premier League.
Liverpool have an upper hand over Crystal Palace and other English clubs to secure his services, due to the player’s wishes.
The Ecuador international joined the Jupiler Pro League side in 2022. He was initially part of their reserve team before making his way into their first team a year later.
Ordóñez’s development hasn’t gone unnoticed, especially in the Premier League.
Liverpool and Crystal Palace interest
At the start of January, Sport Witness relayed news from Ecuador that the centre-back’s move to Anfield was at an advanced stage. That almost certainly came from sources close to the player’s camp and reflected his desire. However, the Belgian press quickly calmed things down and dismissed this possibility.
He didn’t move to Anfield in the winter market but had an opportunity to make a switch to Crystal Palace.
On deadline day, Sport Witness covered claims from Belgium of the Eagles’ monster €40m offer to sign the defender. The source explained Club Brugge had turned down the bid.
GVA now ask the Ecuadorian about the €40m proposal submitted by Oliver Glasner’s side, and he said: “That could be. But I wanted to finish the season at Club anyway, so that wasn’t an option.”
Last month, we covered Belgian claims that his exit in the summer seems inevitable.
He had an opportunity to join Marseille last summer, but a move never materialised. GVA now insist the player could have better options after this season.
When responding to that, he talks about his love for Liverpool, but it’s not given that Arne Slot’s will try to sign him in the summer.
“I hope so. It would be great if I could go to the Premier League. That’s my favourite league, which, given my size, should suit me well. As a child, I was also a big Liverpool fan,” Ordóñez explained.
Ordóñez’s contract, value and agent
Joel Ordóñez
His contract lasts until 2029 and Transfermarkt values him at €28m, a highest so far in his career.
However, Club Brugge are likely to set Crystal Palace’s €40m winter offer as a benchmark when negotiating his sale.
Ordóñez is represented by AGN Football, led by Augusto Nogueira and Matheus Assaf. The agency’s client lists mainly includes South American players and the Club Brugge man is currently their most valuable asset.