Liverpool reportedly have a free run at signing a highly-rated South American centre-back in 2026.
John Aldridge has referred to as for the Reds to strengthen defensively throughout the January switch window, describing a potential swoop for Marc Guehi as a ‘should’ for the Merseysiders, however whether or not Richard Hughes can persuade Crystal Palace to promote their captain mid-season is one other query.
Reviews from abroad have now prompt that the Premier League champions are in pole place to land a Champions League participant with whom they have been first linked simply over a 12 months in the past.
Liverpool reportedly main the race to signal Joel Ordonez
In line with Bolavip, Liverpool are the frontrunners to signal Joel Ordonez from Membership Brugge, with Chelsea withdrawing from negotiations over a possible €40m [34.8m] transfer for the Ecuador worldwide regardless of Stamford Bridge seemingly being his most well-liked vacation spot.
That has seemingly ‘cleared the best way’ for the Reds to make their transfer for the 21-year-old, though Inter Milan proceed to observe the scenario with a view to doubtlessly gazumping the Merseysiders.
What qualities might Ordonez deliver to Liverpool?
Ordonez has accrued a wealth of high-level expertise in European soccer, having just lately surpassed a century of appearances for Membership Brugge, with practically 20% of these coming within the Champions League (Transfermarkt).
As evidenced beneath by underlying efficiency metrics evaluating him with different centre-backs throughout Europe in 2025 (by way of FBref), the Ecuadorian stands out for his ball-playing skills, traits which have been evident from his teenage years at Independiente del Valle in his homeland.
Per 90 minutes
Percentile amongst positional friends
Anticipated assisted objectives (xAG)
0.08
97th (prime 3%)
Non-penalty xG plus xAG
0.16
97th
Non-penalty xG
0.09
92nd
Move completion
91.1%
91st
Progressive passes
4.48
84th
The massive unknown in regards to the 21-year-old is how he would adapt to enjoying within the Premier League, which’d be a big step up from the Belgian prime flight, though his expertise of Champions League soccer ought to stand him in fairly good stead.
Guehi would nonetheless be essentially the most fascinating centre-back acquisition for Liverpool in January, given his homegrown standing, confirmed means in England and his apparent match for what the Reds are searching for in a participant, given the membership’s pursuit of him throughout the summer season.
Nevertheless, if the Palace captain proves to be unattainable subsequent month, Richard Hughes could nicely give critical consideration to exploring a transfer for Ordonez, particularly now that Chelsea have seemingly pulled out of the race for the teen.
Let’s see if this one develops any additional all through the January switch window.
