Over the past few years, Liverpool have beaten Newcastle to a number of their top transfer targets: Dominik Szoboszlai and Hugo Ekitike in recent years, and now Victor Munoz too, hijacking the deal for the Osasuna winger at the eleventh hour.
While Newcastle are nursing a few wounds after falling from European and title-winning heights to land in 12th place at the end of the season, Eddie Howe has kept his job, and he is determined to put things right.
Missing out on the 22-year-old is a tough one to take, though, especially after Anthony Gordon's £69m move to Barcelona. Newcastle need to react - and quickly.
How Newcastle plan to react to missing out on Munoz
Gordon ebbed and flowed throughout his time on Tyneside, but there's no question that the former Newcastle forward made his presence known, Howe's top scorer across all competitions last year, bagging 17 goals.
Munoz would have been the ideal replacement, but with the Magpies boasting a technical director in Ross Wilson (a vacant position last summer), they can turn toward a shortlist of alternatives, with one option in particular standing out.
As per iNews, Newcastle have turned their attention to LOSC Lille's Matias Fernandez-Pardo now that they have missed out on Munoz's signature, having already open talks as they work out whether a deal could be struck, amid initial 'enquiries'.
Fernandez-Pardo is also understood to be on the radar of numerous other outfits, something that will strike fear into the hearts of the Toon persuasion.
Liverpool and Manchester United have both been credited with a recent interest, while PIF are aware that Aston Villa are scouring the market for a left-sided forward.
An exact figure for the Belgium international, who is currently over the pond and competing at the World Cup, has not been determined, but previous reports suggest that Newcastle may have to stump up at least £52m.
Why Fernandez-Pardo can be Newcastle's new Gordon
Missing out on Munoz stings, and no mistake, but the key difference between the current transfer window and last year is that Newcastle have ample time to put things to rights and provide Howe with a squad capable of competing.
Gordon's absence will be felt, but Fernandez-Pardo could help restore the Three Lions winger's presence down the left.
A fleet-footed and unpredictable player, Fernandez-Pardo tends to play off the left wing, but he is also skilled as a dynamic frontman, immediately drawing Toon chiefs toward him as Gordon's potential heir.
Moreover, the 21-year-old is unusual in that he is rangy and abnormally swift. Standing at 6 foot 2, the Belgian still maintains pace and elegance down the channel, and while he would cost a bit more than someone like Munoz, he would surely be no less effective for Howe's side.
After all, you could make a strong case that he has enjoyed a finer domestic campaign than Barcelona's new recruit.
League Form Comparison (2025/26)
Stats (* per 90)
Gordon
Fernandez-Pardo
|
Matches (starts)
|
26 (24)
|
29 (27)
|
|
Goals + Assists
|
6 + 2
|
8 + 5
|
|
Touches*
|
36.0
|
36.5
|
|
Shots (on target)*
|
1.8 (0.8)
|
2.3 (1.0)
|
|
Accurate passes*
|
16.3 (82%)
|
17.5 (82%)
|
|
Big chances created
|
5
|
5
|
|
Key passes*
|
1.0
|
1.2
|
|
Succ. dribbles*
|
1.3
|
1.2
|
|
Ball recoveries*
|
2.2
|
1.8
|
|
Tackles + interceptions*
|
0.8
|
0.9
|
|
Duels won*
|
3.8
|
3.4
|
Hailed as an “exciting Gordon replacement” by Newcastle writer Pete Davey, Fernandez-Pardo is quickly establishing himself as one of most talented young wingers on the market, proving himself last season to be more clinical with his shooting than not only Gordon but Munoz too. He also likes to dribble the ball and get stuck in and challenge opponents.
In a sense, there is something very Gordon-esque about him, startlingly quick and ever-improving in front of goal, as a talisman for his team.
Gordon had established himself as the prototypical Howe winger since joining from Everton for £45m in January 2023, but he left a lot to be desired in the danger area at times, and Lille's star winger could change that, packing a similarly swung, but more powerful, punch.
Whether Newcastle actually manage to get their hands on a top target remains to be seen, but the buck has to stop somewhere, and if they launch a swift bid toward Fernandez-Pardo, they might land a dream Gordon replacement who can help them forget all about Munoz.
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