Newcastle United bolstered their attacking options after they officially confirmed the signing of winger Matias Fernandez-Pardo earlier on deadline day.
The Belgium international has put pen to paper on a long-term contract with Matthias Jaissle’s side and has been brought in from Lille for a fee of around £51m.
Fernandez-Pardo will now be looking to hit the ground running in the upcoming Premier League matches to establish himself as a key figure for the German head coach.
Where Fernandez-Pardo will fit in at Newcastle
The 21-year-old talent is an intriguing addition to Jaissle’s squad because he is capable of playing in several positions across the frontline and has not nailed down one specific role.
In the 2025/26 campaign, Fernandez-Pardo started 16 matches as a striker, 13 games as a left winger, three times as a right winger, and once as a number ten, which is evidence of his flexibility across the forward line.
With Nick Woltemade on his way to Juventus on loan for £3.5m, the Belgian talent could be earmarked to play the number nine role more often than not, with Yoane Wissa in the number ten position behind him.
|
25/26 Ligue 1 |
Fernandez-Pardo |
|---|---|
|
Appearances |
28 |
|
xG |
8.82 |
|
Goals |
8 |
|
Big chances missed |
15 |
|
Big chances created |
5 |
|
xA |
4.70 |
|
Assists |
5 |
His form in Ligue 1 for Lille last season, though, suggests that he may need time to develop before he can be considered a reliable goalscorer for the Magpies.
The fact that he missed 15 ‘big chances’ and only scored eight times in the French top-flight indicates that he needs to work on his composure and his finishing to become a regular Premier League goalscorer.
With the likes of Wissa and William Osula also at the club as striker options, the young attacker could be given the time that he needs to settle in and adapt to English football.
How Newcastle can land a more exciting attacker than Fernandez-Pardo
Whilst there are reasons to doubt how consistent Fernandez-Pardo’s output will be, the club are looking at another attacker who would be an even more exciting addition to the squad.
According to Norwegian TV channel TV2, Newcastle United are one of a number of teams interested in Djurgarden attacking midfielder Bo Hegland.
The report claims that the Magpies sent officials to watch the versatile forward in their 4-0 win over Mjallby in the Swedish top-flight on Monday, a game in which he provided two assists.
It adds that Anderlecht and Lorient are also showing concrete interest in the 22-year-old, but reveals that he is in no rush to leave and a deal before the deadline is far from certain.
Whether the Magpies push to do a deal now or look to bring him in during the January window, Hegland would be an even more exciting signing than Fernandez-Pardo.
The 22-year-old talent has shown remarkable consistency as an attacking force in the Allsvenskan this year and could provide Jaissle’s side with a huge boost in the final third.
|
2025 Allsvenskan |
Bo Hegland |
|---|---|
|
Appearances |
18 |
|
Starts |
18 |
|
Goals |
6 |
|
Big chances missed |
4 |
|
Big chances created |
15 |
|
Key passes per game |
2.8 |
|
Assists |
13 |
A return of 13 assists in 18 appearances this year for the Swedish side is a remarkable record for Hegland, who is an extraordinary creative threat from the number ten position.
Fernandez-Pardo, meanwhile, has assisted 11 goals in his entire senior career to date, in 91 appearances, and has yet to show that he can offer consistent creativity at the top end of the pitch.
The Norway U21 international, therefore, could be a far more exciting creative threat for the Magpies if they manage to agree a deal with his club before today’s deadline, or if they sign him in January, because of what he has produced this year.
Hegland also scored more goals than he missed ‘big chances’, unlike Fernandez-Pardo in Ligue 1, and has the potential to be a more efficient goalscorer if he can carry his performances over to the Premier League.
Whilst he is unproven in England, the 22-year-old talent would arrive as an incredibly exciting addition to the attack because of the numbers that he has posted in Sweden.
Despite being a big-money arrival, Fernandez-Pardo does not have the same level of output to show for his efforts in his career, but Newcastle will be hoping that he can take the next step on Tyneside.
