Crystal Palace are trying to overtake Aston Villa in the race to sign Club Brugge centre-back Joel Ordonez. The move matters because both clubs are seeking defensive reinforcements, with Palace responding to Chadi Riad’s injury and Villa replacing Ezri Konsa after his sale to Arsenal.

Villa turned to the 22-year-old Ecuador international after failing to bridge a significant valuation gap with Southampton for Taylor Harwood-Bellis. Palace have opened talks with Club Brugge after signing Axel Disasi on loan, while the Belgian club are understood to value Ordonez at £40m.