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Liverpool are reportedly preparing a January move for Club Brugge centre-back Joel Ordóñez, ready to meet his €40M price tag and offer a lucrative salary package to the Ecuadorian defender.

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Liverpool ‘considering’ move to sign £35m defender – Report

 

Liverpool Eye €40m Ecuadorian Defender as January Reinforcements Take Shape

 

Liverpool’s defensive stability has come under scrutiny this season, with Arne Slot’s side conceding 14 goals in just nine Premier League matches. That figure has prompted growing urgency at Anfield, particularly after Giovanni Leoni’s season-ending ACL injury further reduced the squad’s depth at centre-back.

 

Ecuadorian Star on Liverpool’s Radar

 

According to BOLA VIP, Liverpool are closely monitoring Club Brugge’s Ecuadorian defender Joel Ordóñez, who has impressed in Belgium since his 2022 move from Independiente del Valle. The 21-year-old has already made over 90 appearances for Brugge and recently extended his contract until 2029, signalling his growing importance to the team.

 

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Journalist Jose Cedeño Mendoza explained that “Joel Ordóñez attracted several teams from Europe in the last market. The Ecuadorian player was close to signing for Olympique de Marseille, but the operation did not take place.”

 

 

Now, Liverpool’s interest appears more concrete. As Cedeño Mendoza added, “The Ecuadorian centre-back, Joel Ordóñez, entered Liverpool’s plans for this market and for his signing to be effective, the English club would make an offer of more than the €40 million that Brugge want and would also offer the player a salary of more than €3 million per season.”

 

Ordóñez’s Rise and Reputation

 

Ordóñez’s physical profile and calmness in possession have earned him growing recognition. Standing at 1.88 metres, his aerial strength and reading of the game have seen him emerge as a key figure in Brugge’s defence. His performances have also been rewarded with senior international caps for Ecuador, underlining his rapid development.

 

Mendoza added, “The Ecuadorian centre-back has one of the best contracts in the squad after his renewal, but obviously the opportunity to make a leap to the Premier League can change everything.”

 

For Liverpool, whose defensive shape has occasionally looked vulnerable in transition, a composed and athletic defender of Ordóñez’s profile could provide a long-term solution.

 

Slot’s Defensive Planning Under Review

 

Arne Slot’s tactical setup relies on defenders who can build from the back with confidence, and Ordóñez’s composure and passing range make him an intriguing fit. While the fee of €40m represents a significant investment, the club’s recruitment model has often targeted young, high-ceiling talents capable of immediate adaptation and future resale value.

 

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

 

From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, this link feels both ambitious and logical. The club have a track record of scouting South American talent early, and Joel Ordóñez fits the modern mould of what Arne Slot wants from a centre-half: technical skill, confidence on the ball, and athletic recovery speed.

 

At 21, Ordóñez would not be expected to displace Virgil van Dijk or Ibrahima Konaté immediately, but he could offer much-needed cover and rotation options as fixtures intensify across multiple competitions. The €40m valuation might seem steep, yet Brugge have history of commanding strong fees for their players, and Liverpool’s recruitment team have shown willingness to invest in potential.

 

Fans would likely welcome such ambition in January, especially with the club juggling domestic and European demands. There’s also excitement in imagining a long-term successor to Van Dijk emerging from South America, following a well-scouted pathway that once brought talents like Luis Díaz and Darwin Núñez to Anfield.

 

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Arsenal injury, suspension list and return dates vs. Portsmouth: Piero Hincapie, Riccardo Calafiori, Cristhian Mosquera latest

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Arsenal will begin their bid to win the FA Cup for the 15th time in their history when they travel to Fratton Park for Sunday’s meeting with Championship strugglers Portsmouth.

 

The Gunners missed the chance to further extend their six-point lead at the top of the Premier League table in Thursday’s underwhelming goalless draw against Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.

 

While their five-game winning league run came to an end, Mikel Arteta will be pleased with the fact that his side are now unbeaten in seven competitive matches ahead of Sunday’s cup tie and Wednesday’s EFL Cup semi-final first leg against Chelsea.

 

Here, Sports Mole rounds up all of Arsenal’s latest injury and suspension news ahead of the clash with Portsmouth, who are languishing in 21st spot in the Championship standings.

 

Piero Hincapie

 

 

 

Status: Major doubt

 

Type of injury: Muscle

 

Possible return date: January 11 (vs. Portsmouth)

 

Hincapie was forced off with what appeared to be a muscle problem in the 57th minute of Thursday’s draw with Liverpool. Arteta now faces a nervous wait to discover the full extent of the defender’s injury.

 

Kai Havertz

 

 

Status: Minor doubt

 

Type of injury: Match fitness

 

Possible return date: January 11 (vs. Portsmouth)

 

Havertz has recovered from the knee injury that kept him out of action for months. However, he has been left out of Arsenal’s last two matchday squads as he continues to build up his fitness. There is a possibility that the forward could make his first appearance since August in Sunday’s FA Cup clash.

 

Riccardo Calafiori

 

 

Status: Out

 

Type of injury: Muscle

 

Possible return date: January 14 (vs. Chelsea)

 

Calafiori has sat out Arsenal’s last four matches with a muscle injury. The defender is making progress in his recovery, but he is not expected to be ready for the upcoming trip to the south coast.

 

Cristhian Mosquera

 

 

Status: Out

 

Type of injury: Ankle

 

Possible return date: January 14 (vs. Chelsea)

 

Like Calafiori, Mosquera is closing in on a return to action after missing over a month of action due to an ankle injury. However, the former Valencia defender will not be available for selection this weekend.

 

Max Dowman

 

 

Status: Out

 

Type of injury: Ankle

 

Possible return date: Unknown

 

Max Dowman is likely to be out until February after sustaining an ankle problem while playing for Arsenal Under-21s in last month’s behind-closed-doors friendly against Manchester United.

 

ARSENAL’S SUSPENSION LIST

 

Arsenal have no players suspended for the third-round tie.

 

 

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Full confirmed list of Arsenal ins and outs in January transfer window as first deal announced

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Arsenal transfer ins and outs as Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta get to work in the January window

 

 

 

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.

 

Arsenal remain in the driving seat to clinch the Premier League title crown this season – and they could strengthen Mikel Arteta’s squad to bolster their chances.

 

 

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Whether or not the right players are out there remains to be seen, but with Arteta enduring several injury blows already this season – particularly in defence – the manager will be keeping a close eye on potential targets.

 

The Gunners splashed the cash in the summer, bringing in the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze, Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera to the Emirates Stadium – so a loan deal might favour the club

 

Gabriel Martinelli ban and fine verdicts as FA make punishment decision on Arsenal ace

 

There could also be high-profile exits, both loans and permanent deals, with young midfield talent Ethan Nwaneri linked with an exit. Other youngsters could also make loan moves to get a taste of first-team football.

 

With that said, football.london takes a closer look at all the moves completed by Arsenal so far this January.

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News Liverpool’s injury list, suspensions and availability

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Read the latest information on injuries, suspensions and availability in the Liverpool men’s squad.

 

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Injuries

 

Hugo Ekitike

 

Ekitike was unavailable for the clash with Fulham because of DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness). Arne Slot was asked whether he will be fit for the game at Arsenal on January 8.

 

Slot on January 7: “He has not trained with us until now and let’s see if he can today.

 

“I’ve said, I think, two or three days ago when we played Fulham that he is not going to be out for long but because games come so fast he is in between maybe training with the team or it would take him one or two days extra.”

 

Wataru Endo

 

The midfielder has been out of action with an ankle injury since appearing in the 3-3 draw at Leeds United on December 6.

 

Alexander Isak

 

Isak is facing a spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on an ankle injury that included a fibula fracture on December 22.

 

He sustained the issue while scoring against Tottenham Hotspur two days prior.

 

Slot on December 23: “It’s going to be a long injury. For a couple of months. That’s a big, big, big disappointment for him and as a result of that of course also for us.”

 

Slot did also confirm he is confident Isak will be able to play again during the 2025-26 season.

 

Giovanni Leoni

 

The defender is amid a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury at the end of his debut against Southampton in the Carabao Cup.

 

Slot on September 26: “He is not in a good place, of course, because he tore his ACL and it means he will be out for a year. Being so young and coming to a new country and playing so well in your first game… it’s very hard to take the positive side.

 

“There’s never a positive side – but you always try to look at a positive side and that is that he is still so young, so he has so many years still to go after he recovers from a terrible injury like that.”

 

Availability

 

Mohamed Salah

 

After featuring off the bench versus Brighton on December 13, the forward is now with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.

 

Salah scored in the group games against Zimbabwe and South Africa to help his country reach the last 16. They are next in action on January 5.

 

Suspensions

 

Conor Bradley

 

Bradley is one yellow card away from receiving a one-match suspension in the Champions League.

 

The Reds travel to Marseille on January 21 for matchday seven of the league phase and then host Qarabag a week later.

 

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