Thomas Meunier has told Newcastle why they must sign Matias Fernandez-Pardo as 'news' emerges
Thomas Meunier's praise of Matias Fernandez-Pardo should tell Newcastle exactly why they must accelerate a move for his services.
Fernandez-Pardo is on Newcastle's radar after an impressive breakthrough season with Lille.
He was handed a shock call-up to Rudi Garcia's Belgium squad for the World Cup last month, and only made his international debut in the warm-up friendly against Croatia.
The Magpies want to sign a new striker this summer after disappointing campaigns from the likes of Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa.
Fernandez-Pardo's quality has been praised by club and international teammate Meunier, who has tipped him to leave Lille for pastures new soon.
The 21-year-old registered eight goals and six assists in 41 appearances as they finished third in Ligue 1 last season.
Newcastle fans should be excited about his potential arrival as Eddie Howe looks to make some shrewd additions to his attacking ranks.
Thomas Meunier has heaped praise on Matias Fernandez-Pardo after Lille exploits
The Belgium forward scored five goals in his final 10 appearances of the campaign to fire Lille to Champions League qualification.
Sources have revealed to Football Insider that Newcastle are interested in Fernandez-Pardo as it stands, but they do face competition for his services from the likes of Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
He would be signed as a replacement for one of Woltemade or Wissa, with Will Osula set to be Howe's first-choice striker in 2026-27.
If Magpies fans had any reservations about signing the 21-year-old, then praise from Meunier should prove why he would be a wise addition to their ranks.
Speaking about his teammate in April, the experienced full-back said: "Compared to the start of the season, when he’d sometimes play on the left, on the right, as a number 9, or even come off the bench, you can tell he’s taken his game to the next level.
"Matias has an incredible array of skills: he can play in support, get behind defenders, dribble…he needs to realise just how talented he is because there aren’t many players like him. When you have a player with that kind of potential, you have to set even higher standards for him."
He has since commented on Fernandez-Pardo's future too, with quotes last week saying: "Matias is a true soldier. Nothing is given in football. And he has understood that. He is being rewarded for it with a call-up to the Red Devils. Matias knows his qualities and knows that he can still make a lot of progress.
"He has an atypical profile. We also talked to him about Origi and what he did in 2014. It is clear that if he continues to develop, he will not stay at Lille."
The 21-year-old forward featured for 34 minutes in Belgium's 5-1 thrashing of New Zealand in the early hours of Saturday morning, and will hope for more game time as they look to go deep in the World Cup this year.
What has Woltemade said about his Newcastle future?
Woltemade's future at Newcastle has been up in the air for several months, and links to Fernandez-Pardo will only heighten rumours of a move away.
Despite talk of his Magpies career being all but over, the Germany World Cup forward has redemption on Tyneside in his sights ahead of next season.
Speaking about his future last month, he said: "I moved to the Premier League at 23, the best league in the world. I've learned a lot this season.
"I've improved athletically, I can keep up with the tremendous pace and hold my own in challenges. Overall, it's been a step forward. That's why I have no doubts about Newcastle. I'll make my mark there."