Lille’s Matias Fernandez-Pardo and Newcastle’s Nick Woltemade – one in, one out at St. James’ Park.
Newcastle United are close to signing Belgian striker Matias Fernandez-Pardo – a move that also opens the door for Nick Woltemade’s exit.
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The Magpies have been working hard to sign a new striker, and Lille’s Fernandez-Pardo has emerged as their obvious first choice. – Norwegian Alexander Sørloth is still relevant, but lately Manchester United have taken over the driver’s seat.
Newcastle made a bid for the 21-year-old last week, but pulled out for the time being after being given a price tag of around £60 million.
However, the interest never went away.
Over £50 million on the table
While Newcastle explored other options – including Stuttgart’s Bilal El Khannouss – the contact with Fernandez-Pardo’s camp and Lille stayed warm. Now, sources can confirm that the deal for the Belgian is underway again.
Newcastle are willing to go for just over £50 million – potentially as much as £55 million. That should be enough to convince Lille to let go of the Belgium international.
Fernandez-Pardo has made it very clear to Lille that he wants to join Newcastle – and wants to work under new manager Matthias Jaissle.
That stance has been a crucial factor in Newcastle’s efforts. The club is particularly impressed with the player’s willingness to complete the transfer.
Lille now accepts the situation, and sources understand that the Ligue 1 club are close to signing a replacement – Feyenoord’s Japanese striker Ayase Ueda. Ueda has been heavily linked with Everton and Leeds earlier in the window.
Woltemade is allowed to leave the club
With Fernandez-Pardo and Ueda on their way to new clubs, Newcastle are now also negotiating to let Woltemade leave St. James’ Park.
TEAMtalk already revealed in May that the German wanted to leave Newcastle. Despite the arrival of Jaissle, he is now ready to leave.
When Jaissle arrived, the plan was for Woltemade to play a central role. But it is understood that the striker’s efforts have fallen far short of expectations – and Newcastle are now ready to part ways with him, with Jaissle’s blessing.
Juventus have spoken to Newcastle about Woltemade – the Serie A giants have also held talks with Manchester United about Joshua Zirkzee.
Napoli, Monaco, Borussia Dortmund and former club Stuttgart are also following the situation closely.
Also Murphy on his way out?
Fiorentina were previously interested in Woltemade, but have since agreed a deal for Everton striker Beto. RB Leipzig have opted to go for Marc Guiu.
Atletico Madrid have also enquired – but they are now expected to land Jonathan David from Juventus, making a Woltemade move less likely.
Newcastle are also preparing a sale of Jacob Murphy, with Nottingham Forest in the driver’s seat for the experienced winger.
Fernandez-Pardo has played a lot of central positions last season, but can also operate on the right wing – giving Newcastle the flexibility to let Murphy leave.
At the same time, TEAMtalk understands that Joe Willock is now increasingly likely to stay at Newcastle – despite talks with Turkish Besiktas earlier this summer.
The arrival of Fernandez-Pardo will thus trigger a significant reshaping of Newcastle’s attacking options – with Woltemade and Murphy potentially on their way out at the same time as the Belgian comes in.
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