DEAL DONE Newcastle have signed 21-year-old Ligue 1 superstar from Lille for a £55m package, including add-ons…

Newcastle United is on the verge of finalizing a remarkable £55 million deal for Ligue 1 star Matias Fernandez-Pardo, which will facilitate the exit of Nick Woltemade, according to TEAMtalk.

The Magpies have been diligently seeking to add another forward, and Lille’s Fernandez-Pardo has become their primary target.

Last week, Newcastle submitted a bid for the 21-year-old but initially retreated after being quoted a price of approximately £60 million.

Nevertheless, Newcastle’s interest has remained steadfast.

While they considered other alternatives, such as Stuttgart’s Bilal El Khannouss, they maintained open lines of communication with both Fernandez-Pardo’s representatives and Lille – and sources now indicate that the deal for the Belgian is advancing.

Newcastle is willing to offer over £50 million, potentially reaching £55 million (€64 million, $74.5 million), which is believed to be sufficient to convince Lille to allow the Belgium international to leave.

Fernandez-Pardo has expressed his desire to join Newcastle and work under the new head coach Matthias Jaissle.

This commitment has significantly influenced Newcastle’s intensified pursuit, with the club particularly impressed by the player’s eagerness to make the transition.

Lille is now coming to terms with the situation, and sources suggest that the Ligue 1 club is close to securing a replacement in Feyenoord’s Japanese forward Ayase Ueda.

Ueda had also been heavily linked with Everton and Leeds United earlier in this transfer window.

As both Fernandez-Pardo and Ueda approach their respective moves, Newcastle is also in discussions regarding Woltemade’s departure from St James’ Park…

Woltemade set to exit Newcastle with Jaissle’s approval.

TEAMtalk reported back in May that the German forward was eager to leave Newcastle, and despite Jaissle’s arrival, he is now poised to depart.

Upon Jaissle’s arrival, the initial strategy was for Woltemade to play a pivotal role in his Newcastle setup.

Nonetheless, it is recognized that the forward’s performance has not met expectations, and Newcastle is now ready to part ways with him, with Jaissle’s approval.

Juventus has initiated discussions with Newcastle regarding Woltemade, while also engaging with Manchester United about Joshua Zirkzee.

Additionally, Napoli, Monaco, Borussia Dortmund, and his former club Stuttgart are closely observing the developments.

Fiorentina had shown interest in Woltemade but have since finalized a deal for Everton’s striker Beto, while RB Leipzig has chosen to pursue Marc Guiu.

Atletico Madrid also inquired about him, but they are now anticipated to secure Jonathan David from Juventus, making a transfer for Woltemade less probable.

Newcastle is also bracing for Jacob Murphy’s exit, with Nottingham Forest at the forefront of the pursuit for the seasoned winger.

Fernandez-Pardo played primarily in a central role last season but is also capable of playing on the right, providing Newcastle with additional flexibility to facilitate Murphy’s departure.

Meanwhile, TEAMtalk reports that Joe Willock is now more likely to remain at Newcastle, despite having discussions with Turkish powerhouse Besiktas earlier this summer.

The addition of Fernandez-Pardo would consequently lead to a considerable restructuring of Newcastle’s attacking lineup, with both Woltemade and Murphy potentially leaving as the Belgian joins.