Newcastle explore late move for Lille forward as El Khannouss option emerges

Newcastle United are exploring a late move for Lille forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo as they seek to add a different attacking option for manager Matthias Jaissle.

The 21-year-old Belgium international has been a long-standing target for Newcastle and featured prominently on the club’s list of potential signings at the start of the summer transfer window.

A move initially appeared difficult because Newcastle cannot offer the player European football this season. However, the English club have received encouraging indications in recent days and have now begun discussions with Lille, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Newcastle have been informed that Fernandez-Pardo is open to joining them if an agreement can be reached over the financial terms. Lille are understood to want about £60m for the forward, who can operate in several attacking positions.

That asking price could be reduced because Fernandez-Pardo has made clear that he wants to leave the French club during the current transfer window. His willingness to move could therefore give Newcastle room to negotiate a lower fee as they attempt to complete a deal late in the market.

The potential signing would give Jaissle another type of attacking player and provide greater flexibility across the forward positions. Fernandez-Pardo’s ability to play in more than one role is believed to be an important part of Newcastle’s interest.

Because the negotiations remain uncertain, Newcastle have also discussed a possible move for Bilal El Khannouss, who is currently with Stuttgart. The club are now aware of the financial conditions required to sign the 22-year-old Morocco international.

Talks over El Khannouss could accelerate if Newcastle fail to reach an agreement with Lille for Fernandez-Pardo. Newcastle have monitored El Khannouss since his time at Leicester City, meaning the Moroccan is an established alternative rather than a new name to have emerged only in the final days of the window.

The club must now assess whether it can make progress on Fernandez-Pardo’s valuation while keeping El Khannouss as another option. No agreement has yet been reached for either player, and the direction of Newcastle’s recruitment could depend on how negotiations with Lille develop.

Fernandez-Pardo has remained high on Newcastle’s list since the early part of the summer, but the lack of European football had appeared to weaken their position. Recent signals from the player have changed the outlook and encouraged the club to pursue a deal.

The discussions form part of Newcastle’s efforts to strengthen their attack before the transfer window closes. If the Lille deal proves too difficult, the club could turn its attention more firmly towards El Khannouss, having already established the financial framework for a possible transfer from Stuttgart.

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