After a summer of splashing the cash, Liverpool look likely to further bolster their squad when the January transfer window swings open on Thursday morning with a deal for one talented youngster coming ‘in days’.
Arne Slot may look to bolster his squad in January’s window.(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
Liverpool are set to sign Joel Ordonez from Club Brugge in the coming days – after Chelsea pulled out of the race to secure the Ecuadorian’s services. The Reds could shell out as much as £43million for the centre-half, as Arne Slot looks to plug the holes in the heart of his defence.
It’s said that the initial fee for the 21-year-old will be around £35million, however, add-ons could quickly rack up to get a deal over the line. It’s no secret that Liverpool looked to bring in an additional centre-back for 2025/26 – their £35m move for Marc Guehi collapsing at the 11th hour as Oliver Glasner could not locate a replacement in time.
And while Giovanni Leoni was snapped-up from Parma in the summer for £26m plus add-ons, the 19-year-old is currently enduring a season on the side-lines as a result of sustaining an ACL injury on his debut in September. Elsewhere, Ibrahima Konate is free to start talking to clubs overseas as soon as New Year’s Day – as a result of his current deal expiring come season’s end.
READ MORE: Liverpool given official response to Jurgen Klopp return after his honest admissionREAD MORE: Arne Slot piles pressure on himself with prediction for Liverpool’s misfiring summer signings
After breaking through the youth system of Independiante del Valle – in 2022 – Ordonez moved on to Club NXT before joining Club Brugge the following year. In the years since, the defender has racked up 105 appearances for the Belgian giants, including 15 in the Jupiler Pro League this season alone.
Given that Brugge sit in second in the league tables with the second-highest goal difference in 2025/26, Ordonez could certainly be the solution to the problems that Slot has suffered as of recent. At the time of writing, the Reds sit fourth in the Premier League standings, 13 points shy of current leaders, Arsenal.
Problems at the back are evident, considering the 26 goals that the defending champions have shipped this season thus far, with a pairing of Konate and Virgil van Dijk not working for one reason or another.
Meanwhile, Milos Kerkez has struggled to adapt on the left in part, while Jeremie Frimpong has been plagued by injury – with Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch both operating as makeshift full-backs from time to time. Alisson also spent months on the side-lines through a hamstring injury, with Giorgi Mamardashvili filling his spot in the interim.
Liverpool have been linked with Joel Ordonez.(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
With upcoming clashes with Leeds United, Fulham and Arsenal, Slot and the Liverpool board will have ample opportunity to reassess their options and plan their expenditure accordingly in the January window.
All things considered, with Guehi entering the last six months of his contract at Selhurst Park, Liverpool could swoop back in for one last bite of the cherry.
Palace run the risk of losing him on a free this summer and could choose to cash in for a cut cost compared to the £35m the Reds were prepared to offer in September.
Elsewhere, Liverpool could also make a swoop for a seemingly unsettled Karim Adeyemi next month. The Borussia Dortmund forward offers pace, trickery and versatility on the field, and given he has been linked with a move away from the Signal Iduna Park, he could make a worthy acquisition to the Anfield elite.
Meanwhile, Jan Paul van Hecke has also been suggested as another, potentially, suitable centre-back as Liverpool look to solve their problems at the back. The 25-year-old has impressed with Brighton, and could well thrive in the north west given the chance.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us, and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
£43
£35
Sky
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.