Newcastle United are closing in on the signing of Lille forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo in a deal reported to be worth around £55 million. The 21-year-old Belgium international is expected to travel to Tyneside on Monday evening to undergo a medical at St James' Park ahead of Tuesday's transfer deadline, according to a report from Sky Sports Football.
This potential acquisition arrives as Newcastle sit fifth in the Premier League table with four points from their opening two matches. Their strong start includes a 2-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur and a draw with Liverpool, leaving them just two points behind leaders Manchester City. The club has scored four goals and conceded two so far this season.
Who is Matias Fernandez-Pardo?
Matias Fernandez-Pardo is a 21-year-old forward who plays for the Belgium national team. He was part of their squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and has earned five senior caps. Last season with Lille, he started 27 of his 34 Ligue 1 appearances, scoring eight goals as the French club finished third in the table. Sky Sports noted he scored eight times in 29 league games. He missed Lille's opening match of the current campaign against Angers due to suspension and was not included in their matchday squad.
The Athletic reported that the agreed fee is €60 million, which equates to roughly £51.4 million, plus additional add-ons. Sky Sports placed the figure in the region of £55 million. "Newcastle United are finalising the signing of Matias Fernandez-Pardo from Lille after a €60million (£51.4m, $69.6m) plus add-ons deal was agreed between the clubs," The Athletic said.
How does he fit into the current squad?
Head coach Matthias Jaissle has overseen a significant squad overhaul this summer, with seven new arrivals. Goalkeepers Lukas Hornicek and Ewen Jaouen have joined, alongside defenders Amar Dedic and Bazoumana Toure. Midfielders Nico Gonzalez and Aladji Bamba, plus forward Sean Steur, have also been added. This rebuild followed the high-profile departures of Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali. The club's current squad list is available on our squad page.
Fernandez-Pardo would provide another attacking option as Newcastle prepare for their next Premier League fixture at home to Bournemouth on September 5th. Bournemouth currently sit 14th in the table. Fans can view the full schedule on our fixtures page.
What other transfer business is happening?
While focusing on this major incoming, Newcastle are also managing potential departures in the final hours of the window. Sky Sports News reported that Nottingham Forest could make a late move for Newcastle forward Jacob Murphy, who had earlier attracted interest from Everton. Another forward, Nick Woltemade, is set to leave on loan, with Juventus in direct talks over a deal. Omari Hutchinson has already departed the club for AC Milan this summer.
The transfer window closes on Monday, August 31, 2026. If completed, the signing of Fernandez-Pardo would represent a major statement of intent from a Newcastle side looking to build on their positive early-season form. The team's current league position and goal difference can be tracked on our standings page. The final step is the player's medical assessment at the club's training ground.
