Newcastle near £55m deal to sign Lille forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo

Newcastle United are closing in on the signing of Lille forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo in a deal worth up to £55m as the transfer window shuts on Tuesday. The 21-year-old Belgium international, who has won five caps, was omitted from Lille's squad for their 2-2 draw with Paris St-Germain last week.

Newcastle have made seven signings this summer and are pushing to recruit another attacker in the final days of the window. Fernandez-Pardo was ordered to train away from Lille's first-team squad until the window closes, while Newcastle have pursued him as a long-standing target dating back to former head coach Eddie Howe and because he fits the age range they have been targeting.

Among players aged 21 and under across Europe's big five leagues last season, Fernandez-Pardo ranked second for big chances (21), fifth for touches in the opposition box (184) and shots on target (30), and seventh for goals and assists combined (13).

His capacity to operate in several positions across the frontline was cited as a factor in Lille manager Matthias Jaissle's efforts to strengthen the squad.

After Lille's 2-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, Jaissle said: "We know our needs. Ross [Wilson, the sporting director] is doing an amazing job. We have a couple of days left where we will not panic and do something crazy we do not believe is the right decision. That's the most important thing, and on the management and leadership level that we're all aligned and all speaking the same language."

Newcastle are now finalising a move for Fernandez-Pardo, which could pave the way for fellow forward Nick Woltemade to leave on loan following interest from Juventus, with the transfer window due to close on Tuesday.