Liverpool target Club Brugge defender Joel Ordonez in £40m transfer deal

Liverpool have stepped up their search for a new central defender by targeting Club Brugge’s Joel Ordonez ahead of the impending arrival of prospective manager Andoni Iraola.

The Merseyside club are finalising plans for the summer transfer window as they advance in negotiations to appoint the Spanish coach.

Iraola is poised to replace Arne Slot, who was dismissed following an end-of-season review after guiding the side to a fifth-place finish and Champions League qualification.

Defensive reinforcements become paramount

Securing a reliable centre-back has emerged as an urgent necessity following confirmation that Ibrahima Konate will soon depart Anfield.

Options at the heart of the defence are currently severely depleted, particularly after highly-rated prospect Giovanni Leoni suffered a serious injury last term.

Consequently, the Premier League side have placed Ordonez firmly back on their recruitment radar to bolster a fragile backline.

The standout centre-half has caught the attention of almost every major English top-flight club following a string of impressive performances in Belgium.

Brugge set lucrative valuation

Club Brugge are reportedly willing to sanction a summer departure for their prized defensive asset.

The central defender has been widely described as phenomenal by evaluating scouts ahead of the upcoming window.

However, the Belgian outfit have slapped a £40m price tag on the player, testing the financial resolve of the Anfield hierarchy.

Addressing the defensive structure is not the only pressing issue awaiting the incoming management team.

Club executives are also formulating contingency plans to replace attacking talisman Mohamed Salah during what promises to be a highly transformative summer.