Newcastle United will look to sign 21-year-old Belgian international Matias Fernandez-Pardo from Ligue 1 club LOSC Lille this summer.
According to a report by French outlet L’Equipe, Newcastle United and LOSC Lille have conducted initial negotiations over a deal for Matias Fernandez-Pardo. The Magpies have also presented an offer to the Ligue 1 club, submitting a bid worth €40 million.
However, Newcastle will not be alone in the battle for Fernandez-Pardo’s signature, as a report by Foot Mercato has revealed that he is also a target for Arsenal. However, per an update by Philipp Hinze on Sky Sport Deutschland, the youngster is closing in on joining RB Leipzig, with the Bundesliga club reaching an agreement in principle with him on personal terms.
Who is Matias Fernandez-Pardo?
Matias Fernandez-Pardo has established himself as one of the most exciting young attackers in Ligue 1 since joining LOSC Lille from KAA Gent in July 2024. Born in Brussels to a Spanish father and an Italian mother, the 21-year-old winger spent most of his formative years in Belgium, passing through the academies at RSC Anderlecht, KV Mechelen, and Lille before graduating from the youth division at KAA Gent.
The Spanish winger has made 71 appearances thus far for LOSC Lille while chipping in with 12 goals and 11 assists. Meanwhile, Fernandez-Pardo represented Belgium until the under-19 level before picking Spain for further age-group divisions and then going back to Belgium’s senior side. The youngster’s progress has provoked interest several well-known clubs, including Newcastle United, Arsenal, and RB Leipzig.
A man in demand
RB Leipzig will aim to end the summer transfer window by heavily bolstering the offensive unit as they attempt a Bundesliga title charge under Martin Demichelis. They are also closing in on signing Christopher Nkunku from AC Milan after competing with Newcastle United for his signature, and Fernandez-Pardo will significantly reinforce the wide berths.
Meanwhile, Arsenal’s interest in Matias Fernandez-Pardo is understandable. Gabriel Martinelli may no longer be at the Emirates after the summer transfer window amid his links with Al-Hilal. So, while Christos Tzolis has arrived from Club Brugge, Mikel Arteta needs another left-sided attacker to replace Martinelli, making Fernandez-Pardo a viable target.
As for Newcastle United, their bid bid reflects the void left by Anthony Gordon’s transfer to Barcelona. While Anthony Elanga produced a promising performance in the Premier League opener against Liverpool this past weekend, the Magpies require additional quality on the flanks, with Fernandez-Pardo emerging as a viable option.
Meanwhile, the Foot Mercato report has revealed that Lille’s asking price stands at €70 million, while RB Leipzig’s offer is worth only €35 million. Newcastle’s €40 million bid also falls short of the Ligue 1 club’s valuation, meaning the race will likely intensify as the transfer window deadline approaches. However, after an impressive haul of eight goals and seven assists last season, the Belgian winger looks ready to make the jump to a bigger club.