Joel Ordonez: OM's New Ambitious Bet?

Things are heating up at the Old Port! According to the latest buzz, Joël Ordonez is indeed a top priority target for our Olympique de Marseille. Does the name ring a bell? 21-year-old central defender, a revelation at Bruges, he has just scored a goal at Genk to kick off the season in Belgium. Solid, confident, and already courted by big European clubs... We can say it looks like a major summer operation.

A price that makes you think: 30 million on the table?

Let's be honest, putting 30 million euros on a defender commands respect... and also makes you hesitate. It would simply be the most expensive transfer in the history of defender sales in Belgium. Should OM break the bank after Paixao? Some would say it's too risky, especially with a squad that still needs adjustments in other areas. But on the other hand, Ordonez has the perfect profile: young, already performing in Europe, and a resale potential that makes any manager salivate. In your opinion, should we go for it or wait? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments, the debate is open!

Competition: Inter and the Premier League on the lookout

Be careful, the deal is far from won. Inter Milan has already made inquiries, and English clubs are on the move. But where we have an advantage is that Marseille, for South Americans like Ordonez, is dreamy. He has already marked OM as the ideal next step! And then, with us, he will have a real starting place, unlike in some clubs where he risks sitting on the bench. Do you think we can compete with the financially stronger offers from the Premier League? Share your predictions with us!

The financial aspect: Loan with option or cash purchase?

We know Pablo Longoria likes to negotiate on the terms: loan with option, payment installment, bonuses... But Bruges won’t let go easily. They want cash, and they are known for being tough negotiators. The solution could be a mixed formula, to avoid crippling OM's budget while convincing Bruges. But it will likely mean sacrificing one or two players to free up cash. Is it worth taking the financial risk for a player who could explode and bring big returns in two years? Your thoughts, friends!

Sportingly, a real plus?

Let's analyze a bit: Ordonez is right-footed, but at Bruges, he has already played on the left side according to needs. If we imagine a defense Rulli – Murillo – Balerdi – Ordonez – Medina, it would look pretty good, right? Especially, we would finally take a step forward at the back, where we suffered too much last season. It would be a big project in terms of automation, but with De Zerbi at the helm, we can dream of a solid and modern defense. Do you approve of this South American partnership?

Do we bet or wait?

In summary, the Ordonez dossier is a real test for the new ambition of our OM. It shows that we want to play with the big boys, invest in young talent with high potential, even if it's expensive. But beware of the flip side: a flop and it drains our finances. So, are you ready to take the bet or do you prefer we bet less big on this transfer window? We are waiting for your reactions, the debates are open on the forum – over to you, family!