Quantcast
Home   >   Transfer News   >   Arsenal step up efforts to sign Lille forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo

Arsenal step up efforts to sign Lille forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo

By on May 10, 2026

Arsenal have expressed interest in signing highly rated Spanish centre-forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo from Lille next summer, according to Sports Boom.

Despite beginning his career at Lille’s academy, Fernandez-Pardo spent most of his formative years in Belgium, playing for Gent. He was a regular for the youth sides, playing for the U18, U21 and Jong Gent teams, where he played 38 games.

He made his first-team debut for the Buffalo’s on March 9, 2023, coming on in the 85th minute in the 1-1 UEFA Conference League draw against Istanbul Başakşehir.

He went on to make 27 more appearances for the Belgian outfit before re-signing for Lille in the summer of 2024, where he has made a strong impression.

In the ongoing campaign, he has been Lille’s talisman up front, providing 15 goal contributions across all competitions and playing a key role in Les Dogues’ UEFA Champions League qualification bid, where they currently sit in fourth place.

It appears Fernandez-Pardo’s performance has not gone unnoticed, as Sports Boom claims that the 21-year-old has piqued the interest of several op clubs across Europe ahead of the summer.

Arsenal plot Fernandez-Pardo swoop

One of the clubs eyeing a move for the youngster is Arsenal, according to the report, which claims that the Gunners are set to accelerate efforts to sign the 6ft 2in forward in the summer transfer window.

Having previously done business with Lille, the report adds that the North London club are looking to leverage their good relationship with the four-time French champions to discuss Fernandez-Pardo’s possible transfer to the Emirates.

While Lille could be open to negotiations between £38m and £41m, keen interest from top clubs like Arsenal, who will have to battle with Manchester City and Atletico Madrid, means the Ligue 1 outfit have raised their demands to £51m, including bonuses, as per the report.

Arsenal have Viktor Gyökeres, Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz as strike options at Mikel Arteta’s disposal this season.

While Gyökeres looks to have adjusted to the demands of English football, with 15 Premier League goals and 21 in all competitions, Kai Havertz has struggled for consistency, while Gabriel Jesus has been battling persistent injury concerns, having played only minutes in the Premier League.

Hence, a move for Fernandez-Pardo makes sense, as he would not only offer Arteta a more reliable and prolific scorer but also a unique centre-forward profile capable of operating across the frontline.