Lille are reportedly interested in completing the signing of Lille attacker Matias Fernandez-Pardo this summer, beating Newcastle United to his signature.
Of all the positions the Reds need to focus on, bringing in two wingers has to be considered priority business, given the many issues there last season.
Mohamed Salah is now a former Liverpool player and he lost a yard of pace in 2025/26, while doubts surround the future of the divisive Cody Gakpo, who has been linked with a move to Tottenham in recent days.
RB Leipzig star Yan Diomande is the leading option to come in for the Reds in the summer transfer window, but his current club is continuing to hold firm for over £100m.
There is no guarantee that Andoni Iraola will get his man, however, so alternative options need to be looked at by Liverpool’s recruitment team.
According to The Daily Mail, the Reds are “waiting in the wings” to sign Fernandez-Pardo from Lille this summer, possibly snapping him up from under the noses of Newcastle United, as was the case with Victor Munoz.
The 21-year-old is “being followed by other clubs as he plays for Belgium at the World Cup”, making two cameo appearances at the competition to date.
Could Matias Fernandez-Pardo excel in a Liverpool shirt?
Fernandez-Pardo is a brilliant young footballer with the ability to shine for Liverpool, with journalist Bence Bocsak lauding his abilities:
“With Andoni Iraola coming to Liverpool, I think Matias Fernandez–Pardo could thrive under him. He’s got the perfect profile for Iraola’s system.”
Bocsak also pointed out last December that Fernandez-Pardo ranked second among Under-21 players in Europe’s top five leagues for the most successful dribble percentage attempting at least five dribbles per 90 minutes, further highlighting the threat he poses.
? Most successful dribble % out of U21 players in Europe’s top five leagues who have attempted at least 5 dribbles per 90:
1. Jean-Mattéo Bahoya – 75%
2. Matias Fernandez-Pardo – 70.18%
3. Bazoumana Touré – 67.19%
4. Yan Diomande – 66.1%
5. Kenan Yildiz – 63.16%So many… pic.twitter.com/yxu9jTuHei
— Bence Bocsák (@BenBocsak) December 7, 2025
Ideally, Diomande will still join Liverpool, coming in as the natural heir to Salah on the right wing, but Fernandez-Pardo would be an exciting backup option.
He is still only 21, so there is lots of time for him to improve his all-round game, having already chipped in with 12 goals and 11 assists in 71 appearances for Lille, as well as winning four caps for Belgium.
