Matías Fernández-Pardo

Newcastle land Fernandez-Pardo, while Arsenal never got past talks with his camp

Lille's Belgian winger Matías Fernández-Pardo (21) has handed in a transfer request after talks with president Olivier Létang, who publicly refused it: the player is under contract until 2029 and never had a release clause. Arsenal are named among the interested clubs alongside Liverpool, Chelsea and Atlético Madrid, on second-tier sourcing (Get French Football News, Tribuna, CaughtOffside, 29/07). No club-to-club contact or bid reported from the Gunners.

Latest development

1. 1 September: Newcastle confirmed the signing of Matias Fernandez-Pardo, announced by both clubs, on a long-term contract for a fee Get French Football News puts at around 65 million euros. The Magpies needed a forward after Anthony Gordon left for Barcelona, and they paid what Lille had been asking since July. Arsenal never got further than a conversation with the player's camp, with no club-to-club contact and no offer. File closed.

2. 30/08Arsenal are talking to his camp, Lille aren't moving.

   The Gunners have opened a dialogue with Matías Fernández-Pardo's representatives with a late move in mind. The context is unhelpful: Atlético Madrid and RB Leipzig have both had bids rejected, and Lille repeat that the Belgian winger will not leave before the deadline unless their valuation, around €70m, is met. No club-to-club contact is reported on Arsenal's side: the entry stays at interest.

3. 14/08 (evening)

   : Arsenal are no longer the club furthest down this road. Atlético Madrid lodged an offer reported at €35m in early August (Yahoo Sports), rejected by Lille. Olivier Létang turned down the player's transfer request and points to a contract until 2029: his departure "is not a topic" (Get French Football News). The asking price quoted in the press is around €60m. Arsenal are still listed among the interested clubs, with no known approach.

   The story broke on 29/07 through Get French Football News and was picked up by Tribuna, CaughtOffside, FootballTransfers and ArsenalNews. Matías Fernández-Pardo and his agent met Olivier Létang to ask for a move; the Lille president publicly replied that the player is under contract until 2029, that his departure "is not a topic" and that he never had a release clause. Lille are counting on him because Davide Ancelotti sees him as his first-choice forward, with Hamza Igamane out after an ACL tear and Olivier Giroud turning 40 in September. Signed from Gent two years ago for €10m, the 21-year-old winger has 12 goals and 11 assists in 71 games and is now valued at around €60m. Arsenal are listed among the interested clubs with Liverpool, Chelsea and Atlético Madrid, but no top-tier source has confirmed any Arsenal move: logged as a watch item.