Liverpool are set to miss out on any chance of signing Lille star Matias Fernández-Pardo late in the transfer window, with Newcastle United close to completing a deal for the 21-year-old.
According to a report from Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool are set to miss out on Fernandez-Pardo.
Romano reports: “Newcastle have agreed deal to sign Matias Fernández Pardo from Lille, here we go. NUFC set to pay €60m fee plus add-ons to Lille, Fernández Pardo has said yes to Magpies project. Top signing done for Newcastle: Fernández Pardo will fly TODAY.”
????? EXCLUSIVE: Newcastle have agreed deal to sign Matias Fernández Pardo from Lille, here we go! ?#NUFC set to pay €60m fee plus add-ons to Lille, Fernández Pardo has said yes to Magpies project.
Top signing done for Newcastle: Fernández Pardo will fly TODAY. ?? pic.twitter.com/8KgauFXHbw
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 31, 2026
As of this afternoon, the Reds have officially signed Bradley Barcola from PSG, in a transfer worth £123m.
The French forward completed a medical at the AXA Training Centre at the weekend, before moving on to the relevant media duties that go along with a mega-money move to Anfield.
Bradley Barcola is a Red.
Allez Les Rouges. pic.twitter.com/Z8eQY71dgQ
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 31, 2026
However, barring any late changes, Liverpool are reportedly not expected to make any further signings.
According to Paul Joyce, it might even be the case that Cody Gakpo is forced to stay at Liverpool for another season.
He reports: “Bradley Barcola is likely to be Liverpool’s third and final signing of the transfer window, as Cody Gakpo’s proposed £85million move to Manchester City is now on ice while the club mull over a replacement.”
[?] BREAKING: Bradley Barcola is likely to be Liverpool’s third and final signing of the transfer window, as Cody Gakpo’s proposed £85million move to Manchester City is now on ice while the club mull over a replacement.
— Anfield Sector (@AnfieldSector) August 31, 2026
Nothing has changed: Liverpool still need three more signings
Don’t let the lateness of the deal to sign Bradley Barcola confuse you. If the Reds had signed the Frenchman in mid-July, it would have been obvious how badly further signings were needed, but the excitement of the signing (valid as it is) does not hide the fact that sporting director Richard Hughes has badly let Andoni Iraola down.
If we ignore the fact that Hughes is simultaneously working as sporting director for both Liverpool and Al-Hilal for the moment, Iraola’s team needs a defensive midfielder, a right-winger and a right-back.
It might have been easy for Liverpool to get the signings they needed if the man in charge didn’t have his attention split between two different football clubs.
That said, there is still time for Liverpool to get the necessary business done before 11 pm on Tuesday.
