Aston Villa Move For Ezri Konsa Replacement But Gap ‘Is Currently Too Wide’ | OneFootball

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Aston Villa are trying to sign Club Brugge defender Joel Ordonez to replace the recently departed Ezri Konsa, but the gap between the two clubs ‘is currently too wide’.

Villa have pocketed a hefty £50m transfer fee from Konsa’s departure from Villa Park this summer and they are keen to bring in his replacement quickly.

Southampton defender Taylor Harwood–Bellis is on their agenda, but their initial offer of £18m with add-ons has been rejected by the Saints, as they want a fee in the region of £25m.

Aston Villa have also shown interest in AC Milan’s Fikayo Tomori, who is not in Ruben Amorim’s plans and has been suggested to be interested in a move to Villa Park this summer, though other sides are also keen.

Unai Emery’s men also looking at other options though and have made a move for Club Brugge’s 22-year-old centre-back Ordonez.

Ordonez joined the Belgian club in the summer of 2023 and since his arrival, he has been a regular fixture in their starting lineup, featuring 141 times so far.

Now is not the first time he has been linked with a move to the Premier League, as last year Liverpool and Newcastle United showed interest in signing the Ecuador international.

Aston Villa have made an official approach to sign Ordonez, but according to Belgian daily HLN, the gap between Villa and Blauw-Zwart’s valuation regarding the defender ‘is currently too wide’.

Club Brugge want a fee in the region of £30m for the defender, but it is still not clear how much the Villa Park outfit are willing to pay.

Ordonez has three more years left on his contract with the Belgian outfit, but it has been suggested that the club are ready to cash in on him if they find a suitable offer.

The Ecuador international is currently recovering from a metatarsal injury and he is expected to be sidelined for a few more weeks.

In March, Ordonez admitted that he is a boyhood Liverpool fan and revealed his willingness to play in the Premier League, which he believes will suit him.

Now it remains to be seen if Aston Villa try to close the gap with Club Brugge to get a deal done.