Arsenal face €70m demand to hijack Fernandez-Pardo deal as Leipzig close in

Arsenal are weighing a late move for Lille winger Matias Fernandez-Pardo, but would need to pay around €70 million to hijack a deal that the 21-year-old Belgian has already agreed in principle with RB Leipzig, according to reports from Sky Deutschland and Foot Mercato relayed by Sport Witness.

The Gunners are running short of time and options in the closing days of the transfer window, with Mikel Arteta yet to secure a left-wing replacement for Leandro Trossard, who is reportedly close to a £50 million move to Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League. Moves for other targets — including Julian Alvarez and Kenan Yildiz, who recently signed a contract extension at Juventus — have failed to materialise.

Newcastle United are also in the picture, with Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri reporting that the Magpies are preparing a final bid of around €60 million for Fernandez-Pardo. FourFourTwo understands Newcastle remain the frontrunners, though Arsenal’s lack of viable alternatives means a late push cannot be entirely ruled out.

Leipzig have identified Fernandez-Pardo as one of two attacking targets alongside former Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku, and the club’s agreement in principle with the player gives them a clear advantage. Arsenal’s interest is described as genuine but complicated by both the fee involved and the advanced state of the competing deal.

Fernandez-Pardo came through Lille’s academy before leaving for Gent in 2020, returning to the Ligue 1 club in 2024 and going on to make 71 appearances for Les Dogues. He made his senior international debut for Belgium this year, having been eligible to represent Spain and Italy through ancestry. His surprise inclusion in Belgium’s 2026 World Cup squad raised his profile considerably; Transfermarkt currently values him at €35 million — roughly half the fee Arsenal have been quoted.

Arsenal have already moved to address the left-wing position by signing Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge, but the club’s interest in Fernandez-Pardo suggests Arteta is not yet satisfied with his attacking options ahead of the window’s close.