Newcastle close to landing Fernandez-Pardo in £55m Lille swoop

According to Sky Sports, final details are being ironed out ahead of what the club view as a marquee signing. Fernandez-Pardo scored eight goals in 29 Ligue 1 games last season and has earned five caps for Belgium, featuring in their 2026 World Cup squad this summer.

Newcastle are treating the acquisition as comparable to their summer purchase of Nico Gonzalez from Manchester City, who cost £50m. The Belgium forward's international pedigree—despite an earlier switch from Spain at youth level—adds depth to the Magpies' attacking options.

The move will have a knock-on effect elsewhere. German striker Nick Woltemade is expected to leave on loan, with Juventus in active negotiations with Newcastle over his temporary departure. That exit could free up space in the squad hierarchy, with Jacob Murphy also drawing late interest from Nottingham Forest.