Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith
Newcastle United have not given up hope of sealing a deal for Matias Fernandez-Pardo before the transfer window closes, according to Craig Hope.
The Magpies had an offer worth around £35m, including add-ons, rejected earlier this week, before reports that the club were preparing a final take-it-or-leave-it offer worth over £51m to bring in the Belgium international, as Matthias Jaissle looks to bolster his forward options before the deadline on September 1st.
But Lille are understood to be holding out for around £60m to let the 21-year-old leave, despite the fact the player has made it clear that he doesn't want to play for the Ligue 1 outfit any more.
According to Craig Hope, writing for the Daily Mail, while it remains unlikely that Newcastle would be willing to pay that much for the forward, there is still hope that they can find an agreement in the final days of the window.
Fernandez-Pardo's camp are understood to have given encouragement to Newcastle that he would be willing to make the move to St James' Park, despite their lack of European football, and that has led to the club continuing talks with Lille. The forward had previously been looking to play Champions League football at his new club, with Lille also in the competition.
However, sporting director Ross Wilson will not sanction any deal that puts the club into problems with the Premier League or UEFA's spending rules.
Newcastle have been forced to sell Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali this summer, with the winger joining Barcelona in a £70m deal while the Italian midfielder joined Tottenham in a deal worth £100m including add-ons. The club then lost captain Bruno Guimaraes in a £75m deal to Arsenal.
Now new manager Jaissle is keen to bring in fresh faces before the deadline to bolster the squad, joining fellow new signings Bazoumana Toure, Ewen Jaouen, Seun Steur, Aladji Bamba, Lukas Hornicek, and Amar Dedic.
A deal has also been agreed for Man City midfielder Nico Gonzalez to move to the north-east club for around £50m to bolster the midfield, but a forward addition is something the manager is keen on.
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Fees correct prior to summer 2026
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Matias Fernandez-Pardo Ligue 1 Stats 25/26
Appearances
Minutes
Goals
Assists
Shots (per 90)
Key Passes (per 90)
Statistics courtesy of WhoScored
Rapid Fernandez-Pardo Would Be Statement Signing
Matias Fernandez-Pardo
Newcastle have seen their squad ripped apart this summer, and with the new manager coming in and achieving a positive result in his first game against Liverpool, they now need to build on that momentum.
With the likes of Anthony Elanga, William Osula, Harvey Barnes, and Toure in the side, there is plenty of pace in attack. Nick Woltemade was an unused substitute, while Yoanne Wissa played as a 10 in that game, and it's clear to see where Fernandez-Pardo would fit in.
Elanga is widely considered as one of the fastest footballers in the world, but Fernandez-Pardo has clocked a higher top speed in his career, and his versatility would make him a welcome addition. Considering the competition for his signature, and the fact Newcastle don't have European football, sealing this deal would be a major statement of intent.