Palace attempt to hijack Villa move for Ordonez

What the report says

Crystal Palace are trying to move ahead of Aston Villa in the race to sign Club Brugge defender Joel Ordonez, according to BBC Sport Football. Palace have reportedly opened talks with the Belgian club for the Ecuador international, who has been on their long-term list of targets, as they look to strengthen at centre-back after Chadi Riad was carried off against Everton. The club already added Axel Disasi on loan but want another defender.

Villa had previously turned to Ordonez after struggling to reach an agreement with Southampton over Taylor Harwood-Bellis. BBC Sport says Villa have been working on a deal for the 22-year-old in recent days, while the Midlands club’s defensive options have been affected by the sale of Ezri Konsa to Arsenal last week. The report says there is still a sizeable difference in valuation over Harwood-Bellis.

Club Brugge are understood to value Ordonez at about £40m, with talks ongoing. The situation reflects a wider late-summer transfer scramble in the Premier League, where clubs are reacting quickly to injuries, departures and failed negotiations to shore up their squads. Ordonez, who played for Ecuador at this summer’s World Cup, has emerged as a key target for two English clubs seeking defensive reinforcement.