Joel Ordonez, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa
26 August 2026
Crystal Palace have opened talks with Club Brugge as they attempt to hijack Aston Villa’s move for Ecuador defender Joel Ordonez. Brugge value the 22-year-old at around £40 million, with discussions over his future continuing.
Palace accelerated their centre-back search after Chadi Riad was stretchered off against Everton and have already signed Axel Disasi on loan. Villa remain interested after failing to bridge Southampton’s valuation for alternative target Taylor Harwood-Bellis.