Arsenal are poised to try and spoil Man City's transfer plans this summer as a report lifts the lid on their plans to sign a rising star.
Arsenal on the verge of first Premier League title in 22 years
The Premier League title race has reached its most delicate phase.
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Arsenal sit five points clear at the top with three games remaining, but City's one game in hand means Mikel Arteta's side cannot afford a single slip-up.
If the clubs finish level on points and goal difference, City would claim the title on head-to-head record, having taken four points from their two meetings this season — a scenario that makes every remaining fixture feel like a cup final.
Arsenal travel to West Ham on Sunday, with City hosting Brentford on Saturday.
Win their respective games and the gap remains the same. Drop points and the complexion changes entirely.
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The title is in Arsenal's hands — win all three remaining games, and they are champions for the first time since 2004.
A Champions League final against PSG in Budapest on May 30 awaits in addition to that. The scale of what could be achieved between now and the end of this month is extraordinary.
Amid all of that, the summer planning continues, and one name that has emerged as a priority target for Arteta's recruitment team offers a fascinating subplot involving Arsenal's Premier League rivals.
Arsenal looking to hijack Man City move for Lille sensation Matias Fernandez-Pardo
Matías Fernández-Pardo has lit up Ligue 1 with Lille this season, becoming one of the most coveted young attackers in European football.
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A forward capable of operating as a left-winger or striker, he has bagged eight goals and five assists for Lille in the league this campaign — a return that has attracted interest from across the continent.
His contract runs until June 2029, and Lille are in no hurry to sell, having set a valuation of £52 million including performance-related additions.
According to SportsBoom, Arsenal, City and Atlético Madrid are all actively pursuing the "match-winner".
City moved first, making initial contact with the player's representatives and offering him a future role.
However, Arsenal are now attempting to use a significant advantage to jump ahead of them in the queue.
Andrea Berta
The Gunners have built a strong working relationship with Lille over a number of years and are understood to be actively leveraging those ties in an attempt to get ahead of City's approach in negotiations with the French club.
The strength of that connection — established through previous business and maintained across multiple discussions since — could prove decisive in convincing Lille to favour the London club when the time comes to negotiate.
Atletico Madrid add a third dimension. Diego Simeone is understood to have been personally impressed by Fernandez-Pardo and his camp have reportedly been offered a guaranteed starting role under the Spaniard — a compelling pitch for a player at the age where regular football is the priority.
The financial demands are substantial but manageable for all three clubs.
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Fernandez-Pardo is expected to seek a long-term deal worth in the region of £3-4m annually plus bonuses — in line with what Arsenal, City and Atlético's respective wage structures can accommodate at that level.
For Arsenal, landing him would strengthen an attacking unit that is already operating at its peak.
Whether Arteta can close the gap on City in the transfer race, just as he has done in the league table, will become clear this summer.
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