Newcastle United are closing in on the signing of Lille forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo in a deal worth up to £55m.
Newcastle have been pushing to recruit another attacker in the final days of the transfer window after making seven signings to date this summer.
Fernandez-Pardo was tellingly left out of Lille’s squad for the 2-2 draw against Paris St-Germain last week and ordered to train away from the first-team squad until the window shuts on Tuesday and the 21-year-old’s future has been resolved.
Newcastle are now finalising a move for Fernandez-Pardo, which could pave the way for fellow forward Nick Woltemade to leave on loan following interest from Juventus.
The Belgium forward has been a longstanding target of Newcastle‘s – dating back to former head coach Eddie Howe’s time in charge – and fits the age range the club have been targeting.
Of those players aged 21 and under across Europe’s big five leagues last season, Fernandez-Pardo ranked second for big chances (21), fifth for touches in the opposition box (184) and shots on target (30), and seventh for goals and assists combined (13).
His ability to play in a number of positions across the frontline also made him an attractive target as manager Matthias Jaissle looked to strengthen his squad.
“We know our needs,” he said after the 2-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday. “Ross [Wilson, the sporting director] is doing an amazing job.
“We have a couple of days left where we will not panic and do something crazy we do not believe is the right decision.
“That’s the most important thing, and on the management and leadership level that we’re all aligned and all speaking the same language.”