unai emery
Aston Villa are in advanced talks with Club Brugge over a deal to sign Joel Ordonez, and have agreed personal terms with the defender, according to GVA.
The Villans have seen their squad ripped apart this summer despite qualifying for the Champions League, with Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne, Morgan Rogers, and Ezri Konsa all departing, while Emi Martinez is expected to leave, and Ollie Watkins is pushing to move to Al Hilal before the transfer deadline next week.
The club have brought in a number of signings to help replenish the squad, with Joao Gomes, Johan Manzambi, Alejandro Garnacho, Matteo Ruggeri, Zion Suzuki, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka all joining, but they couldn't help as Unai Emery's side were thrashed 4-0 in the opening game of the campaign against Brighton.
With Konsa having left the club, Pau Torres and Victor Lindelof started at centre-back, but Villa are keen to bring in a new option, and Ordonez has emerged as a major target.
It was reported over the weekend by The Athletic that talks were underway between Villa and Club Brugge for the Ecuador international, who has been described as 'phenomenal'. Now, in a fresh update, Belgian outlet GVA report that the clubs are in advanced talks over a deal, with the 6ft 2 defender having already agreed terms on a contract at Villa Park.
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Joel Ordonez Tale of the tape
Position Centre-back
Club Club Brugge
Height 6ft 2ins
25/26 appearances 46
25/26 goals 4
Contract expires 2029
Price tag £34m
Ordonez is currently recovering from a foot injury that will see him out of action until October, but Villa are still pushing ahead to get a deal done ahead of stiff competition from clubs across Europe.
A deal is expected to cost less than €40m (£34m), with Club Brugge having already signed a replacement for the 22-year-old, who has been described as 'phenomenal'.
Emery Hoping for Positive End to Window
REUTERS
Emery has seen several players come into the squad this summer, and in isolation they are all top talents. But after losing much of the spine of his team, plus the experience and quality of the players that have moved, it was expected that there would be a period of time needed for performances to pick up.
Speaking after the defeat to Brighton, Emery admitted that he was dealing with difficult circumstances, but he was used to it and was hoping for a strong end to the window.