One reported Liverpool target is understood to have requested a transfer this summer, with his club’s president swiftly addressing the matter in public.
Last month, Ben Jacobs claimed that the Reds will sign another forward in this window after securing Victor Munoz, with Matias Fernandez-Pardo of Lille said to be among the shortlist of candidates at Anfield.
Newcastle have also been credited with interest in the Belgium international, who played in each of his country’s group games at the World Cup, and the 21-year-old is reportedly keen to move on to pastures new.
As reported by L’Equipe, Fernandez-Pardo has asked to leave Lille this summer, having recently changed agents for the second time in two years.
His new representatives met with Olivier Letang in recent days, but the Ligue 1 club’s president was adamant that the Liverpool-linked Belgian isn’t for sale, insisting: “The player is under contract until 2029, and his departure is not an issue. We are counting on him, he knows that, and we have been very clear with him.”
Arsenal, Chelsea and Atletico Madrid are also interested in the attacker, who carries a reported price tag of £60m (Liverpool Echo).
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Fernandez-Pardo is a versatile forward who plays chiefly as a number 9 but can easily adapt to either flank (Transfermarkt), and he’d give Andoni Iraola a dependable option anywhere across the frontline.
He ended last season with eight goals and seven assists in 41 games for Lille, and Sky Sport reporter Sacha Tavolieri has previously highlighted the 21-year-old’s ‘physical presence’ and ‘clinical finishing’.
If Liverpool were to sign the Belgian, he’d probably come in as a backup to Alexander Isak at centre-forward and Cody Gakpo, Rio Ngumoha and Munoz on the wings. However, with the Reds set for another hectic campaign of juggling four competitions, each of those should see plenty of game-time so long as they stay fit.
However, Letang’s defiant stance on the forward would indicate that FSG would have to whip up an irresistible offer if they’re to lure Fernandez-Pardo to Anfield, especially with Lille striker Hamza Igamane still sidelined with a serious knee injury and Olivier Giroud turning 40 in September.
For Richard Hughes, the decision to make is whether the Belgium international would be worth pursuing at any cost, or whether his time and effort would be better invested in transfer targets whose clubs might be more amenable to a summer sale.
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It is becoming increasingly obvious to me that Rayan is the winger LFC (if he is available to buy) should pursue, forget about Barcola – forget about Akliouche forget about Fernandez-Pardo…all three are overpriced…it is as simple as that. By the way I keep hearing all these alternative fullbacks being one by one mentioned as interest to us…it is beyond ridiculous that LFC have again got themselves in a right pickle with their fullbacks/to even think that Gomez was a fallback to be VVD partner all year given his proven injury record is insane, I still recommend that LFC look at the Australian full back Lukas Herrington/but then again obviously I must be insane/but I reiterate he looked like a young VVD with this poise control composure and calmness on the ball at the back for the Socceroos/probably get him for peanuts – someone will get him with brains/something I think Hughes et al sometimes lack. YNWA.
Honestly, I don’t get it. It’s a huge window and yes we need talent in at least 4 areas on the pitch. The world is full of excellent players that fit Anfield playing style. Why have we only signed Munoz? By the time we get the Barcola deal over the line (if we do) the window will be nearing closing stages and big deals for big players will be done. Everyone will know we will be desperate to get in some depth in the backline and we will AGAIN be forced to overpay just like we did last season with the Toons. It’s common sense where we need help on the pitch and it’s actually quite easy to get a deal over the line. You have a department for that. 1. Identify position needed. 2. Identify players fit for the style 3. Enquire about the player 4. Decide and negotiate 5. Pay the price
LFC is currently stuck at the top part. Before enquiring about players you should’ve already decided if we go all in for him or not. Hanging around one big name will not solve our problems. Which everyone knows we have. Getting one big name winger will NOT get LFC to Champions League this season. We have basically done nothing so far in this window. For me, that’s a big concern…
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