OM transfer news: Ordoñez – Marseille hang on despite Bruges’ crazy demands!

OM aren’t giving up! For weeks, Pablo Longoria and Mehdi Benatia have made Joël Ordoñez (21, Club Brugge) their top defensive target. With his athletic profile, reading of the game, and maturity beyond his years, the Ecuadorian is exactly what our backline has been missing—often fragile last season and still exposed early in this campaign. The problem: Brugge won’t hear of it… well, almost.

Brugge are playing for time, and the Champions League changes everything

Having qualified for the Champions League after thrashing Rangers (9–1 on aggregate!), the Brugge hierarchy are savoring it and have no intention of letting their gems go on the cheap. Bob Madou, the club’s top executive, even warned on the radio: no major departures planned. And yet, Ordoñez has already made it known he wants to join Marseille. The catch? Brugge are now asking for €40m to let him go, taking advantage of their strong position.

Competition is already here

As if that weren’t enough, a Saudi club (Neom SC) put €32m + add-ons on the table. Rejected. Proof that Brugge are holding out for the full amount for their defensive gem. Which only complicates OM’s task even more, forcing them to juggle sporting ambition with economic reality. But the determination of the Longoria–Benatia duo remains intact: everything will be tried before September 1, the fateful date when the transfer window closes.

What now?

It’s a compelling story: Ordoñez wants OM, Marseille dream of Ordoñez… but Brugge are standing in the way. A showdown that gets even spicier since the two clubs will soon meet in the Champions League. So, bold gamble or mission impossible?

Over to you, Team OM: should we play hardball to land Ordoñez even if it means breaking the bank, or keep our cool and target a different profile? Share your thoughts in the comments!