Newcastle United have been handed a potential boost in their pursuit of Matias Fernandez-Pardo after Lille head coach Davide Ancelotti confirmed the forward will no longer train with the squad until the transfer window closes.
Ancelotti's announcement
At a press conference, Ancelotti said: "I have decided, in consultation with the club, that he will no longer train with the squad until the end of the transfer window. I am focusing on the players who are available for tomorrow's match and who are training with us."
The 21-year-old Belgian international, who can play across the frontline, is keen to leave Lille this summer and is open to a move to St James' Park. Newcastle are among several clubs interested, with Atletico Madrid and RB Leipzig also linked.
Transfer situation
Lille are under no pressure to sell after qualifying for the Champions League and securing an £86million fee from the sale of midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi to Manchester City. They are demanding around £60million for Fernandez-Pardo, who still has three years left on his contract.
With the transfer window closing on Tuesday, September 1, Fernandez-Pardo will not be considered for Lille's Ligue 1 clash against Paris Saint-Germain on Friday evening. Newcastle are in the market for a forward who can play as a number 10, with Fernandez-Pardo their top target. Stuttgart's Bilal El-Khannous, who has Premier League experience from his time at Leicester City, is an alternative option.
