Newcastle United are edging closer to securing the signature of Lille forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo in a deal that could reach £55m.

The club have already made seven additions this summer and have been pushing to bring in at least one more attacker before the transfer window closes on Tuesday.

Fernandez-Pardo, 21, was a notable absentee from Lille's squad for last week's 2-2 draw with Paris St-Germain, having been instructed to train separately from the first team while his future remains unresolved.

With a move to Newcastle now in its final stages, fellow forward Nick Woltemade could be allowed to depart on loan, with Juventus understood to have shown interest in the Germany forward.

A long-standing target

Newcastle's interest in Fernandez-Pardo stretches back to former head coach Eddie Howe's tenure, making him one of the club's most durable transfer targets. The Belgium forward fits squarely within the age profile the club have been prioritising throughout this window.

Among players aged 21 and under across Europe's big five leagues last season, Fernandez-Pardo ranked second for big chances created (21), fifth for touches in the opposition box (184) and shots on target (30), and seventh for combined goals and assists (13).

His versatility across multiple attacking positions added to his appeal as manager Matthias Jaissle sought to deepen his options in the final third.

Manager speaks on window approach

Jaissle addressed the club's transfer strategy after Newcastle's 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, striking a measured tone as the deadline approached.