The transfer window has only just opened, but some clubs are already ready to make moves. Liverpool are set to complete their first signing for £43 million as they look to address their defensive issues.
After a difficult period, Liverpool are improving. The Reds are back in the Premier League top four and still in contention (9th place) to avoid the Champions League play-offs. However, while results have improved, performances remain some way short of expectations and the millions spent in the transfer market. Defence has been the club's main weak point since the start of the season.
With injuries to Giovanni Leoni and Joe Gomez, plus poor form from Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté, Liverpool desperately need defensive reinforcements. While Marc Guéhi has long been the Reds' priority, according to reports from the Ecuadorian press and the Daily Mirror, it's Joel Ordónez who is set to be recruited. A fee of £43 million is being discussed.
Joel Ordónez edges closer to Liverpool
If this transfer is confirmed at that price, Joel Ordónez will become the third most expensive Ecuadorian player in history, behind Moises Caicedo (£114m) and Piero Hincapié (£44m). Having come very close to joining Marseille this summer, Ordónez could now land at Liverpool. Bruges were asking too much in negotiations and the French club couldn't afford £43m for a single player.
The central defender could even face Marseille on 21 January in the Champions League, wearing the English giant's shirt. Teradepotes and Diario Expreso, two well-informed Ecuadorian media outlets on the case, claim an agreement has already been reached between Liverpool and the 21-year-old player. Some details still need to be ironed out, but Ordónez should in all likelihood be the Reds' first signing of 2026. Liverpool have won their tug-of-war with Marseille and Chelsea.
This article was originally published on TopMercato.
