Football
Liverpool Join Chelsea and PSG in Race for Club Brugge Star Joel Ordóñez
Liverpool are targeting Ecuador international Joel Ordóñez as a solution to their defensive issues. Chelsea and PSG are also interested in the Club Brugge star, who has impressed in the Champions League. Despite competition, Liverpool are willing to pay over £40million to secure the talented 21-year-old.
FC Bayern München v Club Brugge KV - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 by EyesWideOpen | Getty Images
Liverpool have added Joel Ordóñez to their list of centre-back targets, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
The Reds' shock 2-1 defeat at Premier League basement boys Wolves has intensified their search for a new centre half.
That hunt for a reliable defender will take them to Belgium. But their bid to sign Ecuador international Ordóñez could see them on a collision course with Chelsea and Paris St Germain.
The defending Premier League champions have developed a soft centre this season culminating in being stunned at Molineux.
Liverpool chiefs are still smarting from missing out on last summer's transfer target Marc Guehi, who eventually left Crystal Palace for Manchester City in January.
But while the Blues only paid £20million for England star Guehi, the Reds will have to shell out more than £40million to acquire the services of Club Brugge star Ordóñez.
And while the Belgian league isn't one of Europe's strongest, Brugge competed in the Champions League this season.
The 21-year-old, who turns 22 next month, played 10 games in the competition, including Brugge's final game against Atletico Madrid when he scored in a 4-1 defeat.
He also helped Ecuador qualify for this summer's World Cup and is tipped to be one of the standout performers outside the game's leading names.
Rising Star Courting Interest
Chelsea scouted the 6'2" South American ace last year but after withdrawing their interest are expected to return to the bidding ring this summer.
And Moses Caicaido could have a part to play persuading his younger compatriot to move to Stamford Bridge rather than Anfield.
The English duo won't have things their own way in a bid to land their man.
PSG have scouted Ordóñez while Inter Milan and Olympique Marseille have noted his progress since breaking through at Brugge.
Liverpool are waiting to see if Ibrahima Konate signs a new deal rather than leave as a free agent at the end of the season.
Even if he does stay Ordóñez represents a shrewd investment.
Shane is an experienced sports journalist with over a decade on the front line, covering everything from football to horse racing. A familiar face in the snooker pressroom, his work regularly appears in the Daily Mirror, Daily Express, and Daily Star, alongside SportsBoom.
While snooker is where many readers know him best, cricket is his true sporting passion, though he tends to keep that side of him separate from his professional beat.
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