Everything Newcastle fans need to know about Matias Fernandez-Pardo as new move eyed
Newcastle are targeting a move for Lille striker Matias Fernandez-Pardo as Eddie Howe looks to bolster his attacking ranks this summer.
Howe will have been majorly disappointed with the output of his existing strikers last season, especially after some frugal summer business.
Neither Nick Woltemade nor Yoane Wissa managed to impress consistently following moves to the club, with Will Osula becoming their first-choice striker by the end of the campaign.
The Magpies have been linked to numerous new strikers in recent months ahead of the summer window, with both Woltemade and Wissa touted to leave.
Matias Fernandez-Pardo is the latest forward on Newcastle's radar following a strong season at Lille.
He is currently representing Belgium at the World Cup, despite only picking up two senior caps prior to the tournament.
Many Magpies fans may be unsure about their interest in his services, so Football Insider have looked at everything they need to know about their next potential signing.
Who is Matias Fernandez-Pardo?
Sources have revealed to Football Insider that Newcastle are interested in Fernandez-Pardo as it stands.
Fernandez-Pardo was born in Brussels within a family of Spanish and Italian descent, and began his footballing journey in Anderlecht's academy before joining Lille in 2014.
He stayed at the French side until returning to his home country to join Gent's youth system in 2020, with his professional debut coming in the Conference League in March 2023.
The young forward registered eight goals and two assists in 19 games for Gent in the 2023-24 campaign as they finished seventh in the Belgian Pro League.
His fine form saw a return to Lille confirmed in the summer of 2024, as he signed a five-year contract for an initial £8.6million.
Fernandez-Pardo mainly played on the left or right wing in his first professional season with Lille, as he registered four goals and three assists in 30 appearances.
The 21-year-old started more regularly as a centre-forward last term, with a purple patch of five goals and two assists in his final 10 games of the campaign to earn a World Cup call-up.
Several top clubs, such as Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, have each also been linked to his services this summer.
What is the latest on Yoane Wissa's Newcastle future?
Links to Fernandez-Pardo are set to heighten rumours around the respective futures of both Woltemade and Wissa ahead of a long summer window.
The German striker has insisted that he sees his future on Tyneside, despite some struggles, and reports have stated that Howe wants him to stay for next season.
Wissa's future looks different, after injury troubles saw him start just four Premier League games last season.
Sources have told Football Insider that Newcastle are prepared to cash in on Wissa this summer, as they look to recoup a fee close to the £55m paid for his services last year.