Crystal Palace are considering a fresh approach for Joel Ordonez in the January transfer window after abandoning a proposed £26m move for the Club Brugge defender over concerns about his fitness.
The Ecuador international had been close to joining the Selhurst Park club in late August, with personal terms understood to have been agreed. Palace withdrew after medical examinations indicated that a foot injury sustained at the World Cup was more serious than first thought.
Crystal Palace weighing January move for Joel Ordonez
Reports from Fabrizio Romano said Ordonez had given his approval to the transfer, which was valued at approximately €30m (£26m), with further payments potentially due in add-ons.
However, the defender was still recovering from a broken metatarsal. Palace were unwilling to commit such a significant fee while facing uncertainty over when the 22-year-old would be ready to return to competitive action.
The proposed deal was consequently scrapped, leaving Ordonez at Club Brugge and forcing Palace to find an alternative before the transfer deadline.
The Eagles moved for Honest Ahanor instead, securing the 18-year-old defender on loan. Crystal Palace confirmed the agreement on 1 September, while Atalanta stated that Ahanor is expected to complete a permanent move to Chelsea in 2027.
Palace’s interest in Ordonez may not have ended with the collapse of the summer deal. Football FanCast reports that the club intends to monitor his rehabilitation before deciding whether to return for him in January.
A mid-season move would allow Palace to assess whether Ordonez has recovered fully and regained regular first-team football in Belgium. That information could give the club greater confidence before renewing negotiations with Club Brugge.
Ordonez remains an appealing option for Palace because of his age, physical attributes and ability to contribute in possession. But a strong recovery could also increase competition for his signature and give Club Brugge reason to demand more than the fee discussed in August.
