Crystal Palace's pursuit of Club Brugge defender Joel Ordonez has encountered significant hurdles following his medical examination, leaving the Premier League club to evaluate whether to finalize the transfer. Initially, Palace had reportedly agreed to a loan deal for the 22-year-old Ecuador international, which included an option to purchase him permanently at the season's end. This move was seen as a way to bolster the team's defense, especially after recent defensive concerns.
Palace had been aware of Ordonez's recovery from a broken metatarsal when negotiations began. However, sources indicate that the severity of the injury is greater than the club initially anticipated. This discovery has cast doubt on the viability of the transfer.
The club's urgency to acquire a new center-back was heightened following an incident in their recent match against Everton, where defender Chadi Riad had to be stretchered off. While Crystal Palace has secured a loan deal for Axel Disasi from Chelsea, they are still looking to add another central defender to their squad before the transfer window closes.