Liverpool have joined Manchester United and a host of other European clubs in the pursuit of Lille forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo, with the French club reportedly demanding a fee of €70 million for the 21-year-old. The news comes as Liverpool prepare for a significant squad overhaul this summer following a fifth-place finish in the 2025-26 Premier League campaign.
Several key players are set to depart Anfield at the end of June, including Mohamed Salah, Andrew Robertson, and Ibrahima Konate, all leaving on free transfers. Goalkeeper Alisson is also reportedly seeking a move to Juventus to reunite with former manager Luciano Spalletti, with a transfer agreement currently being negotiated between the clubs.
The potential arrival of Fernandez-Pardo is linked to the anticipated departure of Salah and a dip in form from Cody Gakpo last season, despite Liverpool’s substantial spending of €365 million last summer on players such as Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, and Florian Wirtz. The club is also considering a move for RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande.
Fernandez-Pardo enjoyed a productive 2025-26 season with Lille, scoring eight goals and providing five assists in 29 Ligue 1 appearances. While he struggled to replicate this form in the Europa League, failing to score in 11 games, he demonstrated versatility by transitioning from a left winger to a central forward role in the latter stages of the campaign, scoring five goals in Lille’s final 11 league matches.
According to Foot Mercato, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are also monitoring the Belgium international, with Manchester City and Manchester United also previously linked. Lille are bracing themselves for a potential bidding war, with a transfer potentially being completed before the 1 September deadline. The appointment of a new manager, widely expected to be Andoni Iraola, will likely influence the club’s transfer strategy as they aim to return to challenging for major honours.
