Villa in talks with Club Brugge for defender Ordonez

Joel Ordonez played for Ecuador at the World Cup earlier this summer [Getty Images] Aston Villa are working to sign Club Brugge central defender Joel Ordonez after failing to agree a deal with Southampton for Taylor Harwood-Bellis. The Premier League side, who sold England defender Ezri Konsa to Arsenal last week, are accelerating their interest in Ordonez, with discussions ongoing and his Belgian Pro League club wanting a minimum £40m fee for the Ecuador international. The 22-year-old centre-back, who played for his country at this summer's World Cup, has made 124 appearances for Club Brugge since joining in 2022 from Independiente del Valle. Villa had targeted Harwood-Bellis, but there is understood to be a significant gap in valuation between them and Southampton after an offer worth £18m was rejected. It remains to be seen whether a transfer for the 24-year-old can still be revived but, as things stand, Unai Emery's side have moved on to other targets. Villa lost their opening game of the season 4-0 to Brighton on Sunday and are working to strengthen their squad before the transfer deadline on 1 September. They have lost a host of key players this season with Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne and Konsa all departing. There are also questions over Ollie Watkins' future with the striker a target for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia. Watkins' departure would cut deepest - and Villa did not see it coming Watkins' absence at Brighton a question for him - Emery Villa close to signing Germany midfielder Goretzka Latest Aston Villa news, analysis and fan views Ask about Aston Villa - what do you want to know?