UMVA has learned that a 22‑year‑old Ecuadorian defender, Joel Ordonez, is igniting a fierce bidding war among England’s top clubs.
Multiple insiders confirm that Premier League powerhouses have circled his name repeatedly over the past year, but concrete offers have remained elusive—until now.
Sources tell UMVA that Liverpool, after a period of hesitation, have revived their interest and are weighing a serious move for the young centre‑back.
Yet the balance of power appears to tilt toward Tottenham, who are desperate to reinforce a backline that has struggled to replace key departures.
Spurs have earmarked Jan Paul van Hecke as a priority, but Brighton’s hard‑line stance on his fee has forced the club to hunt for alternative targets, with Ordonez emerging as the prime candidate.
Club Brugge, the Belgian side that nurtured Ordonez, are reportedly prepared to part with the international for around €45 million, a price that aligns with Tottenham’s budgetary constraints.
Brighton’s own pursuit of Croatian defender Luka Vuskovic could generate funds that would further smooth the path for a Tottenham‑Ordonez deal.
While Chelsea, Newcastle and Juventus have been mentioned as potential suitors, the immediate race narrows to Liverpool and Tottenham, each seeking a defensive overhaul.
Liverpool, reeling from the loss of Ibrahima Konaté on a free transfer, view Ordonez as a possible long‑term solution to eventually succeed the ageing Virgil van Dijk.
