Aston Villa walked away from a proposed signing of Club Brugge defender Joel Ordóñez during the summer transfer window after medical assessments raised serious concerns about a foot injury, according to Sport Witness.
The Ecuador international had been identified as a potential replacement for Ezri Konsa following his confirmed move to Arsenal in August. Club Brugge initially sought a fee in the region of €40m (£34.7m), though that valuation was expected to fall because Ordóñez had been sidelined since early July.
Villa officials travelled to Belgium to progress negotiations, Sport Witness reports, but the defender’s physical condition ultimately prevented a deal from being completed. Crystal Palace subsequently attempted to sign him for approximately €30m (£26m) plus bonuses, yet they too withdrew when he could not pass their own medical examination.
Belgian publication Voetbalkrant states that the metatarsal issue is more severe than first diagnosed and now requires an operation. Former Belgium international Franky Van der Elst, quoted by Sport Witness, indicated he learned from Club Brugge captain Hans Vanaken that a return before the end of the calendar year looks highly unlikely.
Ordóñez originally sustained what Ecuafut described as a fissure in the navicular bone while representing Ecuador at the World Cup. That problem later developed into a full fracture. The 22-year-old reportedly received injections to manage considerable pain so he could continue playing, a decision the Ecuadorian federation believes has significantly prolonged his recovery.
With the summer transfer window having closed on 1 September, Villa have already reshaped their squad, bringing in Taylor Harwood-Bellis from Southampton alongside several other arrivals. Ordóñez will remain at Club Brugge to undergo surgery and begin rehabilitation, with no firm date attached to his comeback.
