Liverpool Reportedly Pursuing €40m Club Brugge Defender Joel Ordóñez
Reports from Ecuador suggest that Liverpool are showing strong interest in Club Brugge’s highly rated defender Joel Ordóñez, who is valued at around €40 million.
As the 2025–26 campaign unfolds, Liverpool’s defensive depth has become increasingly fragile, with vulnerabilities exposed both from open play and set pieces. The Reds have conceded 14 goals in just nine Premier League matches, prompting Arne Slot and his coaching staff to reassess the team’s defensive setup.
The situation has been worsened by Giovanni Leoni’s season-ending ACL injury, leaving Liverpool short of options at the back. As a result, what was once a long-term summer priority may now become an urgent January requirement.
According to Bola VIP, Liverpool’s primary focus has turned to 21-year-old Ecuadorian centre-back Joel Ordóñez, who has quietly developed into one of Europe’s most promising young defenders at Belgian Pro League side Club Brugge.
Ordóñez joined Brugge from Independiente del Valle in August 2022 for roughly €4 million and has since flourished, making over 90 competitive appearances. Standing at 1.88 meters, he recently signed a contract extension keeping him at the club until 2029, and he has already earned recognition with the Ecuador national team.
Ecuadorian journalist José Cedeño Mendoza reports that Brugge would demand a fee of at least €40 million for Ordóñez and that Liverpool are ready to offer the defender a salary exceeding €3 million per year:
“Joel Ordóñez attracted several European clubs in the last window. He was close to joining Olympique de Marseille, but the deal fell through. Now, despite his renewal with Brugge, Liverpool want him as their new player,” Cedeño Mendoza said.
“For the move to happen, Liverpool would have to offer more than €40 million and a salary above €3 million per season. While Ordóñez has one of the best contracts in Brugge’s squad, a Premier League opportunity could change everything.”
Why Liverpool Are Interested
Underlying statistics highlight why Liverpool view Ordóñez as a potential solution to their defensive woes. According to FBref, the Ecuadorian ranks among the elite for centre-backs in key passing and build-up metrics across Europe’s top emerging competitions:
| Passing Metric (per 90) | Stat | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Pass Completion % | 91.3% | 94th |
| Passes Attempted | 65.6 | 81st |
| Progressive Passes | 4.47 | 85th |
| npxG + xAG | 0.12 | 91st |
With his composure on the ball, physical presence, and growing reputation, Ordóñez appears to fit Liverpool’s recruitment profile perfectly as the club seeks to reinforce its defensive line heading into a crucial phase of the season.
