A 10 million gap, and the deal has stalled
Newcastle have been hunting for attacking reinforcements for weeks and thought they had their man. According to Foot Mercato, the Magpies put 60 million euros on Lille’s desk for Matias Fernandez-Pardo. Lille want at least 70.
That rejection is hardly a shock given Lille’s situation. The northern club have just banked 100 million euros for Ayyoub Bouaddi, who has moved to Manchester City. With that sort of benchmark set for a homegrown youngster, Olivier Letang has no reason to let the Belgian winger go cheap in the same window.
So it is back to plan B. Still according to Foot Mercato, Newcastle have returned to a name they were already working on earlier in the transfer window: Bilal El Khannouss. The Moroccan attacking midfielder at Stuttgart would fit the English staff’s brief, with one detail that matters in late-window talks: he already knows the Premier League.
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Stuttgart push, and the player is no longer saying no
The German club’s stance has shifted. Galatasaray had put forward an offer of 22 million euros before add-ons, only for Stuttgart to knock it back as they expect far more for the player who has become their biggest asset. The Swabian side still want an exit before the window shuts to boost the finances, even if it costs them on the pitch.
El Khannouss, for his part, had wanted to stay in Germany. The chance to play in the Champions League carried real weight in his thinking. But his club’s pressure has changed the picture, and a move to England no longer puts him off.
Just days to make a call
Newcastle are keeping both options alive. If Lille do not shift from their 70 million demand, the Moroccan becomes the main target in the closing days of the market.
Then there is the price tag. Stuttgart turned down 22 million only a few weeks ago. They also know time is not on their side.
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