Liverpool ‘close’ to surprise €40m January signing

Liverpool are “close” to signing Club Brugge defender Joel Ordonez, according to a report.

The Reds are in the market for centre-back reinforcements after missing out on Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi at the 11th hour in the summer transfer window.

The England international has been widely expected to still seal a move to Liverpool in 2026, but it is thought that the reigning Premier League champions would prefer to wait until the summer, when Guehi will be a free agent.

However, there is a major risk attached to this strategy, namely that Guehi will be able to negotiate a pre-contract with foreign clubs now that the January window has opened.

As a result, Liverpool are also looking at alternatives, and a January move for a different player would not necessarily rule out a summer deal for Guehi, given the uncertainty around Ibrahima Konate, who would free up a spot should he opt to depart after this season.

Liverpool close in on Ordonez deal

According to Bolavip, Club Brugge defender Joel Ordonez is the man who has been earmarked to shore up the Reds’ ailing defence. In fact, the outlet goes so far as to suggest that a move to Anfield is already “close.”

The Ecuador international was keen to leave Belgium in the summer, but despite interest from various clubs in Italy, France and England, Brugge refused to sell. The 21-year-old is now belatedly trying to engineer a move away.

Liverpool will need deep pockets to sign the centre-back, however. In addition to tripling his current salary, Liverpool are expected to shell out north of €40 million on Ordonez.

The report claims that Inter remain in the race to sign Ordonez, while Chelsea – who were previously asked to sign him by compatriot Moises Caicedo – have pulled out due to his price tag.

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