Newcastle interested in signing Joel Ordonez - Report

According to TBR Football, Newcastle United are taking a close look at Club Brugge's Joel Ordonez; a 20-year-old Ecuadorean centre-half who has been likened to Antonio Rudiger.

Standing at 6ft 2', Ordonez is considered a ‘complete and dominant’ centre-back whose style has drawn comparisons with the German Rudiger by media in his native Ecuador and Europe.

Ordonez would certainly fit with Paul Mitchell’s preferred transfer strategy, which he outlined in a wide-ranging summer interview, of unearthing gems before they cost an arm and a leg. In the same interview, Mitchell felt that such signings were worth their weight in gold – a sentiment most fans agree with – if it isn’t too the determent of signing first team ready players as well.

The Ecuadorian appears to fit the bill in many ways, but time will tell if this a true story and United are keen on moving for the South American, or if this is another example of an outlet putting 2+2 together based on the lads potential and the club’s much publicised need for a centre-back.

Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, Brentford and Wolves are also thought to be keen on signing Ordonez, while Brighton are said to be long-time admirers; no real surprise given their previous links with recruiting Ecuadorean talent.

Valued at €30million, Ordonez has made 47 appearances for the 19-times Belgian Pro League champions Club Brugge since his move from his homeland in 2022. He recently impressed in a Champions League win over Aston Villa and is able to play as a right or left-sided centre-back and at right-back. Here's a few clips of him in action:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPmmoyPefv0