Report: Aston Villa want to sign 6ft 2in South American centre-back in January

Aston Villa are keeping tabs on Club Brugge centre-back Joel Ordonez ahead of the January transfer window, according to Ecuadorian outlet Diario Expreso.

The Midlands club are desperate to overturn the recent woeful run which has left them winless in their last eight games across all competitions, and quality signing are expected to be added to their squad next month.

Villa have conceded 15 goals in those games and could do with reinforcements at the back, with Ordonez emerging as a target.

However, the Villa Park club are not the only ones keen on the 6ft 2in Ecuadorian, with Newcastle United also interested in bringing him to the Premier League.

Ordonez has deservedly earned comparisons with Real Madrid star Antonio Rudiger due to his style of play and physicality, and he will fancy his chances of impressing in the English top-flight should manager Unai Emery come calling in the coming weeks.

The South American is only 20, but his ability to play out confidently from the back and defend well have attracted both Villa and Newcastle to him, and he boasts much-needed experience.

Ordonez can also play at right-back, featuring in the position for his country during the World Cup qualifiers against Colombian and Bolivia last month, and his versatility has also attracted suitors to him.

Club Brugge would love to hold on to such an important player until the end of the season, which could prove tricky if a club like Villa come calling in January.

He will not cost much and landing him could help make all the difference at the back for the struggling Villans going forward into the second half of 2024-25.

They need quality depth defensively if the season is to end well for them, and more potential transfer targets are expected to be identified in the coming weeks.