Liverpool, who have started the Premier League season with two draws, are close to selling Dutchman Cody Gakpo to Manchester City.
But it must be worked quickly to find a replacement!
Read: Premier League giant Chelsea has woken up!
Matías Fernández-Pardo, a 21-year-old Belgian striker from Lille, has appeared on Liverpool’s transfer radar as an option to bolster the attack – in light of a possible sale of Cody Gakpo. According to Nicolò Schira, the French club are demanding €75 million.
Fernández-Pardo on Liverpool’s list
Liverpool’s interest in Fernández-Pardo comes at a time when Gakpo’s future remains unclear. Manchester City have begun talks with Anfield about the Dutchman, but sources state that the operation is still under negotiation.
The amount Lille are demanding to let Fernández-Pardo go is €75 million. Schira states that both Liverpool and Newcastle are in the race for the player – so Liverpool have no clear path to completing the signing.
Fernández-Pardo has 23 direct goal points in 71 appearances for Lille. In addition, the striker was part of Belgium’s 2026 World Cup squad, where he played three games.
At Lille, there are also many indications of a possible sale. Fernández-Pardo was not in the squad against Paris Saint-Germain, and according to recent reports, has been training separately from the squad while offers are being considered.
Matías Fernández-Pardo was eligible to play for Spain but chose Belgium / Getty Images
Cody Gakpo influences Liverpool’s plans
A potential signing of Fernández-Pardo is directly linked to the Gakpo situation. Manchester City are already negotiating with Liverpool for the Dutch winger – Tottenham have also shown interest during the transfer window.
The deal for Gakpo could reach €100 million, according to reports on Sunday – other sources place Liverpool’s valuation at around £85 million. The final amount is yet to be determined, and Anfield will have to decide whether to approve the sale.
Liverpool have also come a long way in signing Bradley Barcola from PSG, in a deal that could reach £123m. The arrival of the French increases competition in attack – but Liverpool are still considering one more signing to meet the squad’s needs.
An operation governed by the market deadline
The calendar plays a crucial role – the window closes on September 1 at 2300 UK time. Liverpool must first clarify Gakpo’s future, and if he leaves, accelerate the search for a replacement.
Fernández-Pardo is one of the identified options, but the €75m price tag and competition from Newcastle complicate the picture. Lille are firm on their valuation as they wait for the outcome before the window closes.
The next step depends on Gakpo: if the Dutchman leaves Liverpool for Manchester City, Fernández-Pardo could be one of the main options to replace him. Over the course of the day, Liverpool will have to decide whether to accept Lille’s terms in an attempt to secure the Belgian.
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