Aston Villa are pushing to strengthen their defensive options this summer following the departure of Ezri Konsa from the club.

The Birmingham outfit have identified Ecuador international Joel Ordonez as the man to fill that void at the back this transfer window.

According to reports, Villa have already agreed personal terms with the 22-year-old, who is keen to make the move to Villa Park this summer.

However, completing the transfer will require Aston Villa to strike a separate agreement with Belgian club Club Brugge, who hold the defender’s contract until 2029.

Brugge will not part with Ordonez cheaply, having signed him from Independiente de Valle back in 2022, and the player has been a key figure for the club ever since.

The Belgian side are under no pressure to sell and are expected to hold firm on a valuation of around £43 million for the young defender.

Ordonez is no stranger to interest from high-profile clubs, having been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool during the January transfer window.

Liverpool had reportedly agreed to pay £43 million for the defender, but former manager Arne Slot ultimately decided to back away from completing that deal.

Aston Villa are now positioned to take advantage of that failed move, with the Ecuador international understood to be enthusiastic about joining the Premier League club.

The proceeds generated from Konsa’s departure are expected to help Villa fund the transfer and bring the deal closer to completion before the window shuts.

Ordonez brings the physicality and defensive qualities that Villa need to tighten their backline ahead of another campaign competing domestically and in European competition.

With the player willing and Villa having secured an agreement on personal terms, attention now turns to whether the two clubs can settle on a fee to get this move finalised.

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