Newcastle launch Matias Fernandez-Pardo bid - L’Equipe
Back in May, NUFCBlog released an exclusive on Newcastle’s interest in Bazoumana Toure and Matias Fernandez-Pardo.
As we know, Toure arrived on Tyneside earlier this summer from German side Hoffenheim, but Fernandez-Pardo remains on the market.
And, if reports from France are anything to go by today, Newcastle have reignited their interest in the versatile attacker.
Toon back in for Belgian?
According to L’Équipe, Newcastle have made a concrete move for Lille star Matias Fernandez-Pardo, submitting a proposal worth around €40m (£34.6m) excluding bonuses.
The report from French journalist Loïc Tanzi states that Newcastle have entered negotiations for the 21-year-old after previous interest from Atlético Madrid.
Lille are thought to be reluctant to sell Fernandez-Pardo, with the club still needing to find a replacement before agreeing to his departure. The Belgian is under contract until 2029, and Lille president Olivier Létang has previously made it clear that he does not want to lose the Belgian international.
However, Fernandez-Pardo himself is still pushing for a move away from the club. L’Équipe reports that he remains determined to leave Lille, despite the chance to play Champions League football this season.
Newcastle’s financial position could help steal a march on Atlético Madrid, with the French outlet suggesting that the size of our offer may be strong enough to make Lille reconsider their position.
Luke Edwards calls for caution
However, in a follow up post on X following news of our bid, there has been a note of caution from The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards.
Edwards has confirmed that Newcastle do have an interest in Fernandez-Pardo, and have discussed signing the Lille star, but says expectations of a deal being agreed are currently low.
That suggests that, while Newcastle have made a genuine approach rather than simply being linked with the player, there is still a considerable amount of work to do if they are to turn the enquiry (or bid) into a done deal.
Fernandez-Pardo enjoyed an impressive 2025/26 campaign for Lille, making 41 appearances and contributing eight goals and seven assists.
The Belgian international is capable of operating across the frontline and has attracted interest from several clubs, with Atlético Madrid and RB Leipzig among those also reported to be monitoring his situation.
