Belgian newspaper clarifies Liverpool and Joel Ordonez news

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from DaveOCKOP or go back to LFC Live.

```html

Belgian Newspaper Clarifies Liverpool and Joel Ordonez News

Recent reports claiming Liverpool had finalized a deal for Club Brugge defender Joel Ordonez have been significantly overstated. Over the New Year weekend, excitement peaked following reports from Ecuador that suggested Liverpool had essentially wrapped up a transfer for the 21-year-old Belgian Pro League star. The reports were notably specific, claiming a fee of around £43 million (€50 million) had been agreed and that Ordonez was days away from a medical at Anfield.

However, credible sources have quickly poured cold water on these claims. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano stated that Liverpool has "nothing really official or concrete for Joel Ordonez." Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws echoed this sentiment, reporting that Club Brugge "hopes to keep everyone on board" and that there is "no question of a transfer of Joel Ordóñez or Christos Tzolis — or concrete monster offers for them — at the moment."

Club Brugge's decision to include Ordonez in their Marbella training camp squad this week further confirms that a move to Liverpool is not imminent. The Belgian champions have made it clear they have no intention of selling the defender during this transfer window.

Despite Liverpool's interest in the 6'2" Ecuadorian, demonstrated through multiple scouting visits, the club is exploring other defensive options for January. Ordonez's underlying creative statistics highlight why Liverpool would be attracted to him, and his development from Club Brugge's reserve side to accumulating over 100 senior appearances—including crucial Champions League contributions—showcases his potential. However, with his contract running until 2029, Club Brugge remains firmly committed to keeping their key defender.

```