Arsenal has reportedly reached a verbal agreement to sign a centre-back for £22 million, coinciding with Dean Huijsen’s transfer to Real Madrid.
The Gunners are aiming to bolster their defense this summer by signing Joel Ordonez, a 20-year-old Ecuadorian defender from Club Brugge. They’re interested in a young player who can develop within their squad, especially following Huijsen’s potential departure.
Ordonez has attracted attention due to his physicality and maturity despite his age. The transfer fee is estimated around £25 million, though Arsenal still needs to finalize the deal with Club Brugge. Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain has also shown interest in the player, increasing competition.
Arsenal is eager to secure a promising central defender to complement their current defensive lineup, moving quickly to ensure they remain frontrunners in the transfer race. The deal could offer good value considering Ordonez’s potential and current role in Belgium’s first team.
While personal terms might be tentatively agreed upon, Arsenal must still negotiate with Club Brugge to complete the transfer. With PSG entering the race, the Gunners need to act decisively.
After missing out on Huijsen, Arsenal seems ready to sign either Mosquera or Ordonez, who might be less costly but also less experienced than the Spanish defender. This could allow Arsenal to invest more in their attacking options by spending less on defense
