Arsenal have placed Lille forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo on their attacking shortlist, with the Gunners monitoring his situation “very closely,” according to Foot Mercato.
The north London club remain keen on securing another attacking player and the Belgian youngster has emerged as a serious option for the club’s recruitment team.
Arsenal are fully aware that prising Fernandez-Pardo away from Lille will not come cheaply, with the French club holding out for a fee in the region of £60 million.
Lille have already demonstrated their resolve to protect the player’s valuation, having turned down offers worth £34 million and £29 million from Atletico Madrid and RB Leipzig respectively.
Fernandez-Pardo moved to Stade Pierre Mauroy from Belgian side KAA Gent a couple of years ago and initially took time to settle into life in Ligue 1 before finding his footing.
The 21-year-old showed genuine quality last campaign, registering 14 goal contributions in 41 appearances across all competitions and helping Lille qualify for the Champions League.
His performances at club level were enough to earn him a place in Belgium’s World Cup squad, though he remained on the periphery with just 53 minutes of action.
According to L’Equipe, Fernandez-Pardo has informed Lille that he would like to push through a transfer, despite the club insisting he remains central to their plans going forward.
Liverpool, Chelsea, and Atletico Madrid have all been credited with interest in the versatile attacker, making him one of the most sought-after young forwards in European football right now.
Lille president Olivier Letang has publicly ruled out a sale, stressing that Fernandez-Pardo is under contract until 2029 and that the club have no intention of allowing him to leave before the window closes.
Arsenal have also been linked with Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen and Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez in recent weeks, though neither pursuit has produced a concrete outcome as yet.
With the transfer deadline approaching, Arsenal’s interest in Fernandez-Pardo reflects the club’s ongoing determination to add firepower to a squad with genuine title ambitions this season.