Liverpool transfer news
Liverpool transfer news: Reds and Newcastle keep tabs on Lille’s Fernandez-Pardo
Liverpool transfer news: The papers are at it again. This time, it’s the Daily Mail reporting that Liverpool and Newcastle United have both fixed their sights on Matias Fernandez-Pardo. Lille’s 21-year-old Belgian forward bagged 13 goals in 29 Ligue 1 outings last term, attracting attention across Europe.
Anfield’s decision-makers see the youngster as a proper bargain compared to RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande. Leipzig want a staggering €120 million for Diomande. Ludicrous money, really. Fernandez-Pardo cost Lille around €11.5 million when he signed from Gent in August 2024. Now, the French side want somewhere between €60 million and €70 million. It’s steep, definitely, but it won’t break the bank like the Diomande deal.
Newcastle aren’t new to this race. The Athletic previously confirmed the Magpies had already made contact. But St James’ Park folk will feel a familiar sting here. They already lost out to Liverpool earlier this summer when Víctor Muñoz chose Anfield in a €40 million deal.
Why the Lille forward makes total sense for Iraola?
Let’s be honest. This isn’t a straightforward decision. Anyone saying otherwise hasn’t actually crunched the numbers.
Andoni Iraola inherited a squad desperately starved of attacking threat. Mo Salah has packed his bags. Hugo Ekitike is stuck on the treatment table. Alexander Isak? A measly three Premier League goals last season. Then you’ve got Cody Gakpo, who still splits opinion down the middle. So the board focusing on Diomande for £102 million feels like a massive gamble. Especially when FSG shelled out £415 million under Arne Slot last summer just to finish a disappointing fifth.
Paying around €55–60 million for Fernandez-Pardo makes far more sense. He’s young. He’s tied down until 2029. He even featured for Belgium at the 2026 World Cup after swapping his allegiance from Spain back in May. No short-term stopgap, then.
Iraola’s tactical blueprint relies on raw athleticism. He needs direct wingers who hunt the ball down and press from the front. Fernandez-Pardo did exactly that in France, racking up eight goals and five assists before an ankle injury halted his progress in January.
Read: Yes or No? €130m star has decided on Liverpool move
The board must stop viewing him as just a backup option. Look at Iraola’s track record at Bournemouth. He worked wonders with Antoine Semenyo and Dean Huijsen. The man improves players. With a full pre-season under his belt and a defined role, Fernandez-Pardo could easily hit the ground running. Newcastle are waiting in the wings. Hesitation will cost Liverpool dearly.
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