Liverpool have been handed a boost in their pursuit of a new forward as a top target has officially handed in a transfer request.
Despite the arrival of new manager Andoni Iraola, who replaced former boss Arne Slot in June, Liverpool have remained quiet in the ongoing transfer window.
So far this summer, Liverpool have completed just one transfer, bringing young Spanish forward Victor Munoz to the club from Osasuna after triggering his €40million (£34.6m) release clause.
Given the fact that star player Mohamed Salah left the club at the end of last season, it’s clear that Liverpool still need to sign at least one more forward ahead of their opening match against Newcastle United on August 23.
It’s widely been reported that Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola is Liverpool’s top transfer target this summer, with an opening bid of around £100m set to be submitted soon.
But, Barcola isn’t the only forward that the Reds have been linked to in recent weeks, as Iraola is also believed to be a fan of Lille’s Matias Fernandez-Pardo.
The 21-year-old represented Belgium at the World Cup this summer and has since been linked with a blockbuster move away from his current club.
However, the Ligue 1 side are believed to be taking firm stance on parting ways and is currently unwilling to listen to any offers.
According to French outlet L’Equipe, this stance has forced Fernandez-Pardo to take matters into his own hands by submitting an official transfer request, making clear his intentions to leave this summer.
This follows a meeting between the striker, his representatives and Lille president Oliver Letang on Tuesday.
Unfortunately for the young striker, it appears that Lille are unwilling to listen to his request to leave, with fellow striker Hamza Igamane recovering from an ACL injury sustained in the Africa Cup of Nations final in January, leaving only Fernandez-Pardo and a 39-year-old Olivier Giroud leading the line for Lille.
“The player is under contract until 2029, and his departure is not an issue,” Letang told L’Equipe.
“We are counting on him, he knows that, and we have been very clear with him.”
Some reports suggested that a move for Fernandez-Pardo could be made easy by a release clause included in his contract, but Letang addressed this rumour directly, confirming it was false.
“He never had a release clause,” added the Lille president. “Every player I told could leave has left. It’s the same old story as last summer, with yet another new agent.”
Liverpool set to battle Premier League rivals for Matias Fernandez-Pardo
Nevertheless, Liverpool will likely continue to make a push for the 21-year-old should he continue to make it clear to his current club that he isn’t happy.
But Liverpool reportedly aren’t the only side interested in striking a deal for the Lille star, as Arsenal, Chelsea and Atletico Madrid are also monitoring his current situation.
Fernandez-Pardo joined Lille from Gent in 2024 for a fee of €10m (£8.6m) and has made 71 appearances for the French side, scoring 12 goals and assisting another 11.
