Chelsea and Liverpool are both pursuing a deal to sign Lille centre-forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo, according to reporter Sacha Tavolieri.
The 21-year-old began his youth career with Lille before completing much of his development in Belgium after joining K.A.A. Gent.
Fernandez-Pardo progressed through Gent’s Under-18, Under-21 and Jong Gent sides, making a combined 38 appearances during his time in their academy.
His senior debut for the Buffalos arrived on 9 March 2023, when he was introduced in the 85th minute of a 1-1 UEFA Conference League draw against Istanbul Basaksehir.
The forward went on to feature 27 more times for the Belgian club before returning to Lille in the summer of 2024, quickly establishing himself as an influential figure.
This season, Fernandez-Pardo has emerged as Lille’s leading attacking threat, recording 15 goal contributions across all competitions while helping Les Dogues qualify for the UEFA Champions League.
Tavolieri reports that the forward is now looking to explore opportunities away from Lille this summer, with Chelsea and Liverpool keeping close tabs on him ahead of a potential swoop.
Atletico Madrid are also credited with an interest in the player, while Lille have insisted they want to retain Fernandez-Pardo despite his desire to pursue fresh challenges.
The 6ft 2in forward is an explosive and technically gifted attacker capable of operating anywhere across the front line, equally effective through the middle or out wide.
Fernandez-Pardo has earned a reputation as one of the quickest players in European football, with teammates claiming he reached a top speed of 39 km/h during sprint testing.
Fernandez-Pardo himself stated that his fastest recorded speed was 38.5 km/h, a figure that still surpasses the fastest officially recorded speed in the Premier League, held by Micky van de Ven at 37.38 km/h.
With three years remaining on his contract and Lille determined to hold onto him, any interested club will likely need to submit significant offers well above his £29m Transfermarkt valuation.
Both Chelsea and Liverpool will need to move decisively if they are serious about prising the Belgian talent away from the French club this summer.