According to French outlet Foot Mercato, Arsenal have added Lille forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo to their shortlist as they seek to bolster their attack before the transfer deadline.
The Gunners reinforced their left-wing department with the purchase of Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge earlier this summer. The Greek was signed as a replacement for Leandro Trossard and has made a huge impression already.
The 24-year-old has registered two assists from as many appearances, but the Gunners are still in the transfer market for another left winger, given that Gabriel Martinelli could be on his way out before the transfer window closes on September 1.
Foot Mercato claim that the north London giants have added Fernandez-Pardo to their attacking shortlist and they are ‘very closely’ monitoring his situation. Lille have no plans to sell him for less than £60 million before the deadline.
Atletico Madrid and RB Leipzig have already had bids of £39 million and £29 million rebuffed for the 21-year-old, who featured for Belgium at the World Cup. Arsenal are aware that they must come close to the price tag to persuade Lille into a sale.
Good talent
Fernandez-Pardo had a productive campaign with Lille last term. He accumulated 8 goals and 7 assists in all competitions and played an instrumental role in the French outfit qualifying for the Champions League with a third-placed finish.
Lille recently sanctioned the sale of midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi to Manchester City for a package worth £86 million, and they seem determined to keep hold of Fernandez-Pardo, having turned down recent proposals from Atletico & Leipzig.
Still, every player has a price and Les Dogues seem prepared to consider his departure for £60 million. The big question remains whether Arsenal would make such a huge proposal for the Belgian, who is just at the beginning of his playing career.
Fernandez-Pardo is very versatile. He can operate as a left winger or as the main striker on his own. He was successful as a number 9 in the back end of last season, but his playing style has a left-sided bias, meaning he could improve as a winger too.
The 21-year-old possesses good pace on the…
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