Reports suggest Villa are in contact with Club Brugge over Ordonez, the Ecuador centre-back who is said to be one of the options being weighed up to replace Ezri Konsa. Another key detail in the market is that Villa’s attempt to sign Taylor Harwood-Bellis was reportedly rejected, which points to an active search for a central defender rather than a speculative link.
Goretzka has also been linked with Villa, with reports saying there is an agreement in principle for the midfielder following his Bayern exit. The same update says Emery has played a direct role in talks. That would fit Villa’s summer approach, which has already involved major turnover in both arrivals and departures.
The need at centre-back looks obvious. Reports say Konsa has been a major summer departure, and Villa have not yet brought in a direct replacement. That matters even more after another report noted Villa opened their Premier League season with a 4-0 defeat at Brighton. One result does not define a window, but it does sharpen the focus on defensive depth and physicality.
Goretzka would address a different issue. Villa have refreshed the squad heavily, and a midfielder with long experience at elite European level would give Emery a ready-made option rather than a developmental project.
For Ordonez, the next question is whether contact turns into formal progress. Reports suggest he would cost more than Villa’s rejected bid for Harwood-Bellis, so this may become a test of how far the club will stretch for its preferred profile.
For Goretzka, the key step is simple: official confirmation. Until that arrives, this remains a strong link rather than a completed transfer.