With merely days left in the summer transfer window, the pressure is on [Newcastle United](https://readnewcastle.com/2026/08/29/four-newcastle-united-players-set-miss-tottenham-hotspur-game/) to pull a few rabbits out of the hat. The Magpies have done well to sign Nico Gonzalez from Manchester City. And Amar Dedic looked class against West Bromwich Albion in midweek. Bazoumana Toure also scored his first goal for the club. But beyond that, there are still a lot of holes in this squad.
The Magpies were only good enough to finish 12th last season. And the squad has only been weakened since then with the departures of players like Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon.
So, it would help if Newcastle United were able to add some more ready-made quality to the squad between now and the close of the transfer market for the summer. And there is a positive update in this regard.
One player Newcastle United have been linked for a while is Matias Fernandez-Pardo of Lille. The player seems to be keen on leaving the French club this summer.
So much so that he has been left out of their training for now. It remains to be seen if Fernandez-Pardo can secure a move in time or ends up continuing at Lille.
Newcastle United’s chances of signing him have been boosted. A report from [The Telegraph](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2026/08/28/newcastle-transfer-news-fernandez-pardo-el-khannouss-deal/) goes on to read:
> A deal for the Belgium international looked unlikely without any European football to offer the 21-year-old but Newcastle have received some encouragement in the last few days and are now looking to thrash out terms with Lille.
It remains to be seen if Newcastle United end up being successful in that quest or not. If they do end up signing Fernandez-Pardo, it could help with their lack of depth and quality options up top.
Fernandez-Pardo can play both as a centre-forward and on the wing. But he does seem a lot more effective playing through the middle.
Last season, in 16 starts as a centre-forward, he scored seven goals and provided four assists. In total across the season, he had eight goals and seven assists in 41 games.
So, he is not the prolific of forwards by any means. That being said, he is still just 21 years of age and can grow. Until then, Newcastle United have a few other options.
Yoane Wissa has looked a man reborn in recent months. He scored three goals at the World Cup and has looked impressive to start off the season for Newcastle United.
William Osula is expected to be a lot more involved as well after nine goals last season. But as for Nick Woltemade, there is a possibility that he could make a last-minute exit.