Crystal Palace are attempting to hijack Aston Villa's move for Club Brugge defender Joel Ordonez. Villa launched a move for the Ecuador international after failing to agree a fee with Southampton for Taylor Harwood-Bellis. But Palace have now opened talks with the Belgian side over a move for Ordonez, who is viewed as a long-term target by the Selhurst Park club.

Palace have accelerated their efforts to sign a new centre-back after Chadi Riad was stretchered off against Everton on Saturday. They completed a deal to sign Axel Disasi on loan on Wednesday but want to add another centre-back to the squad.

Villa have been working on a deal for the 22-year-old in recent days. The Midlands side, who sold key centre-back Ezri Konsa to Arsenal last week, had targeted a move for Harwood-Bellis, 24, but there is understood to be a significant gap in valuation between the two clubs which saw Villa step up their interest in Ordonez.

The Belgian side value Ordonez at £40m with discussions ongoing.