Newcastle receive Fernandez-Pardo boost - but could turn to El Khannouss instead
With Newcastle United all set to announce the signing of Man City midfielder Nico Gonzalez today, attention has already turned to a new attacker.
As we revealed in an NUFC Blog exclusive back in May, the club are big fans of Lille's versatile forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo.
Reports in France suggest we launched a £51m 'final offer' for the Belgian international yesterday, and an update on that deal has emerged today, alongside a potential alternative should we move on from Pardo.
Fernandez-Pardo offers Newcastle hope
Newcastle have been given encouragement that Matias Fernadez-Pardo would be OPEN to a move to St James' Park, according to The Mail's Craig Hope.
Hope insists the deal is not dead and Newcastle have not given up on the 21-year-old, suggesting his demands of Champions League football have softened.
That said, Ross Wilson will NOT sanction any deal that threatens to risk financial trouble for Newcastle, leaving it unclear if the club will get close to Lille's £60m asking price.
That brings us nicely to a potential alternative; Stuttgart's Bilal El Khannouss.
El Khannouss back on our radar?
You may remember Newcastle showing interest in El Khannouss last summer, making a move for the Moroccan in August 2025 following Leicester City's relegation.
12 months later, Foot Mercato's Santi Aouna reports that Newcastle are 'exploring' a deal to sign the 22-year-old attacking midfielder, who is now at Bundesliga side Stuttgart.
Aouna reports that our attempt to sign Fernandez-Pardo has 'currently stalled', suggesting the club are not willing to meet Lille's £60m asking price after offering just over £50m.
El Khannouss bagged nine goals and seven assists in 41 appearances last season and has attracted a €22m (£19m) offer from Turkish giants Galatasaray this summer.
Stuttgart are thought to be open to a sale, with the player himself keen on a move back to the Premier League after impressing in Leicester's relegation campaign two seasons ago.
