Aston Villa pursue Harwood-Bellis and Ordonez after improved bid rejected | OneFootball

According to ExpressAndStar.com, Aston Villa remain in talks with Southampton over Taylor Harwood-Bellis after a second bid was rejected, and are negotiating with Club Brugge for Joel Ordonez. Both are viewed as replacements for Ezri Konsa after his move to Arsenal last week.

There have been claims personal terms with Ordonez are agreed, although the clubs are thought to be apart on valuation. The move is complicated by the 22-year-old Ecuador international’s foot injury.

Harwood-Bellis was left out of Southampton’s win over Stoke at the weekend amid uncertainty over his future. Villa’s latest proposal improved on an initial £18 million offer but still fell short of the Saints’ demands.

Recruiting a centre-back is a priority in the final week of the window for Unai Emery, whose side conceded four times in 23 minutes in Sunday’s season-opening defeat at Brighton.

Villa are ready to move on forward options if there is a resolution to Ollie Watkins’ situation. The England striker wants to join Al-Hilal, although an agreement between the clubs is not currently thought to be close.

Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson remains a long-time target, while Villa are among those monitoring Jean-Philippe Mateta at Crystal Palace.

Leon Goretzka is expected to join later this week on a free transfer to strengthen Emery’s midfield options.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”