Aston Villa have suffered a major transfer blow with Crystal Palace reportedly hijacking their move for Club Brugge defender Joel Ordóñez. Villa had made significant progress towards signing the Ecuador international, but Palace have now moved ahead in the race as Unai Emery searches for an Ezri Konsa replacement.
Villa appeared to have made a breakthrough earlier on Wednesday, with Club Brugge willing to discuss a deal structured around an obligation to buy.
That position has now changed dramatically.
talkSPORT reports that Crystal Palace have successfully hijacked Villa’s proposed move for Ordóñez, with the Eagles closing in on the 22-year-old.
Crystal Palace hijack Aston Villa move for Joel Ordóñez
Palace initially accelerated their pursuit after Villa had spent several days negotiating with Brugge.
Further reports citing Fabrizio Romano now claim Palace have reached an agreement worth €30million plus add-ons, with Ordóñez accepting the proposed move.
A medical would still need to be completed before the transfer is finalised.
It represents a frustrating turnaround for Villa.
Personal terms with Ordóñez had already been agreed before negotiations centred on finding a structure acceptable to Brugge.
Villa had identified the Ecuador international as one of their leading options following Ezri Konsa’s £55million move to Arsenal.
Palace’s intervention therefore leaves Emery with another defensive decision before the transfer window closes.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis remains another player Villa have pursued, although Southampton have already rejected multiple approaches.
Villa appeared close to solving one of the biggest remaining holes in Emery’s squad when progress was made on Ordóñez.
Unless there is another late twist, Palace now look set to take that option away.
