Arsenal have added Lille’s Matias Fernandez-Pardo to their list of targets in their bid to sign a new forward before the transfer window closes.
The Gunners began their Premier League title defence in dominant fashion last Friday, cantering to a 3-0 win over newly promoted Coventry City.
Summer recruit Christos Tzolis impressed on the left-wing and he is already looking to be a a smart replacement for Leandro Trossard who joined Besiktas earlier this month.
Fellow newboys Bruno Guimaraes and Ezri Konsa will add plenty of Premier League experience to the Gunners’ ranks as and when they are deemed ready to feature, but Mikel Arteta remains keen to strengthen his forward line still further ahead of the deadline.
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Arsenal missed out on the signing of Morgan Rogers, who opted to join Chelsea instead, while their pursuit of Vinicius Junior ultimately ended in the Real Madrid star signing a new contract.
The English champions are continuing to monitor what appears to be an untenable situation for Julian Alvarez at Atletico Madrid, but are drawing up contingency plans should the Argentina international either remain at his current club or secure his dream move to Barcelona.
To that end, Arsenal are keeping a close eye on Fernandez-Pardo, who has made no secret of his desire to leave Lille this summer.
The 21-year-old refused to play in a friendly against Everton this summer and had hoped he would be granted a move, especially having seen Ayyoub Bouaddi given permission to join Manchester City.
Fernandez-Pardo is currently under contract until 2029 and publicly Lille are adamant that he won’t be sold.
‘Matias Fernandez-Pardo is a very important player,’ said sporting director Sylvain Armand, underlining Lille’s stance on Sunday.
‘We’re counting on him. Talking about Mathias leaving isn’t necessarily on the table right now.’
According to Footmercato, however, Lille would consider doing business were they to receive an offer in the region of €70 million with Atletico and RB Leipzig also interested in the Belgium international.
In order to make room in their squad, Arsenal are ready to part company with Gabriel Martinelli.
The long-serving Brazil international has been told he is surplus to requirements by Mikel Arteta having been left out of the last twomatchday squads.
Having rejected a move to Galatasary, Martinelli is now open to moving to t he Saudi Pro League with Al-Hilal set to table an opening offer in the region of £50million.
