Chelsea plotting move for 20-year-old Ecuadorian starlet: Reports

Chelsea are reportedly close to signing Moises Caicedo's Ecuador teammate Joel Ordonez. Spanish news outlet Expreso claims that the Blues will have to pay about €30 million to secure the services of the 20-year-old central defender (via Chelsea News).

The west London side will seemingly have to enter into negotiations with Club Brugge for the youngster, who is contracted till the summer of 2028. He's become an integral part of the Belgian outfit's set-up in the last 15 months or so.

Since moving to the club in the summer of 2023, Ordonez has made 47 appearances across competitions, bagging an assist. Of course, if Enzo Maresca's side come calling, a move to Stamford Bridge would be extremely tempting for the defender.

The Blues have enjoyed a good run of form at the start of the new Premier League season and are currently third in the standings. However, Ordonez's game time is far from guaranteed if he were to join Chelsea in the near future.

At the moment, Maresca deploys Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill in the centre-back roles, both of whom have made their places certain. On top of that, Ordonez will also have to fend off threats from the likes of Tosin Adarabioyo and Benoit Badiashile, who will also be searching for minutes at centre-back.

Ordonez also earned his first cap for his country earlier this year and has gone on to make four appearances for Ecuador. He's also versatile and can play at right-back if needed.

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Chelsea among a host of clubs chasing Jonathan Tah - Reports

Jonathan Tah

Chelsea have been linked with a fair few defenders ahead of the January transfer window. They have now been said to show an interest in Bayer Leverkusen centre-half Jonathan Tah, who is out of contract at the end of the season.

A report from Caught OffSide claims that the Blues will face competition from Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur (via The Hard Tackle). It is said that the Blues are in the front of the queue for the player's signature, and an offer could be coming his way in January.

However, Real Madrid are also set to pose a significant threat, given the issues that Carlo Ancelotti's team are facing in central defence. With Eder Militao set to be out for an extended period and David Alaba yet to return from injury, Real Madrid are desperately in need of cover.