Crystal Palace set to sign Joel Ordonez after completing shock Aston Villa hijack | OneFootball

Highly-rated centre-back had seemed Villa Park-bound, but now looks set to join the Eagles

The Eagles have hijacked Aston Villa’s move for the Club Brugge defender and are now in talks over a deal.

Ordonez has long been expected to leave Brugge this summer.

The Ecuadorian could now follow Axel Disasi as the next centre-back arrival at Selhurst Park and is believed to be interested in making the move to the Premier League.

London calling: Joel Ordonez (L) is set to join Crystal Palace

AFP/Getty

Ordonez made three appearances for Ecuador at the World Cup as they were knocked out by Mexico in the last-32.

The centre-back signed for Club Brugge in 2023, and has since made 83 league appearances, scoring four times.

He was also a fixture in the side’s Champions League campaigns over the past two seasons, scoring against Atletico Madrid in February.

His will be Club Brugge’s second high-profile sale to the Premier League this summer, with Ordonez following Christos Tzolis, now of Arsenal, through the exit door.

There may well be more movement at Selhurst Park before the transfer window closes on Tuesday evening.

Senegal winger Ismaila Sarr has been linked with a move away from the club, with both Liverpool and Galatasaray said to be interested in his services, while striker Jean-Philippe Mateta may also depart.

Aston Villa saw a bid rejected for Mateta this week, and Pierre Sage is adamant both he and Sarr will still be Crystal Palace players come the end of the summer.