Arsenal Football Club has reportedly reached a verbal agreement to sign a new centre-back for a fee in the region of £22 million, while Dean Huijsen is expected to complete a move to Real Madrid.
In response to Huijsen’s impending departure, the Gunners have swiftly turned their attention to other defensive options, with Joel Ordonez of Club Brugge emerging as a prime target. The North London club is aiming to bolster its defensive line during the summer transfer window and views Ordonez as a promising addition for the future.
Ordonez, a 20-year-old Ecuadorian defender, has drawn attention for his physical presence and impressive maturity on the pitch, qualities that have made him stand out in the Belgian Pro League. Arsenal sees him as an ideal young talent who can grow within Mikel Arteta’s system, potentially forming a long-term partnership with the likes of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães.
While a verbal agreement has been reached regarding personal terms, Arsenal must still finalize negotiations with Club Brugge, who value the player at around £25 million.
Complicating matters is the recent interest shown by Paris Saint-Germain, who are reportedly considering making a move for Ordonez as well. This new competition could potentially increase the urgency for Arsenal to secure a formal agreement and avoid missing out on yet another defensive target. The Gunners are believed to be acting swiftly in their attempts to complete the deal before any rival clubs can intervene.
Although the final transfer fee is yet to be officially confirmed, Ordonez’s market value is estimated at around £22.7 million according to transfermarkt. This makes the potential deal a reasonable investment for a player with significant potential and current first-team experience in Belgium.
Arsenal’s strategy appears to be focused on securing a young, developing centre-back rather than investing heavily in a more established name, which would allow the club greater financial flexibility to strengthen other areas of the squad, particularly in attack.
Following the setback in their pursuit of Huijsen, Arsenal is reportedly also considering other affordable options like Mosquera, though both he and Ordonez would bring less top-level experience than the Spanish defender.
Nonetheless, the club seems determined to take proactive steps in the transfer market, ensuring they remain competitive in the upcoming season while managing their budget carefully.
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