Newcastle United are set to end the transfer window in emphatic style by clinching a £51million deal for Matias Fernandez-Pardo. For many Toon supporters, the agreement with Lille is very much icing on the cake after seven incoming deals this summer already for Nico Gonzalez, Ewen Jaouen, Lukas Hornicek, Bazoumana Toure, Aladji Bamba, Amar Dedic and Sean Steur. But the 21-year-old forward will leave many fans impressed, not least with Arsenal and Liverpool keen on the player in 2026.
More business expected on Tyneside
With the transfer window shutting for business at 11pm this evening, Newcastle will be happy with their work in the window during what threatened to be a turbulent summer. But the drama may not be over just yet and coming hours will see more activity on Tyneside one way or another.
Not quite, there could still be incoming business and outgoing deals at St James' Park with sporting director Ross Wilson ready for one last push. It's been some window for the ex-Rangers supremo after dealing with a host of key signings, the resignation of Eddie Howe and the appointment of Matthias Jaissle. But there is headroom to make another signing after Fernandez-Pardo and the Magpies will be clear to do so, despite SCR concerns.
El Khannouss interest and Woltemade's future
Newcastle like Stuttgart's Bilal El Khannouss and have held talks in the past couple of weeks but his arrival may depend on the exit of others. And this is where it could get interesting on deadline day with interest in a couple of squad players.
The German international is understood to be keen for answers from the powers that be at Newcastle after being informed he could leave on loan. Woltemade, the club's record signing at £69million, was eager to know where he will fit in with Jaissle's plans this time last week. But now could be plying his trade for a different coach in a different country.
Juventus boss Luciano Spalletti is believed to have told Woltemade's entourage that he will play to his strengths and provide service into the box. Juve are the only club to have an offer - a loan fee of £3.5m - on the table for Woltemade. RB Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund and Galatasaray also asked but Juve remained in the hunt at the close of play last night. A Woltemade exit could pave the way for El Khannouss, but time is already ticking.
Pope, Murphy and Willock updates
Pope is still essentially in the departure lounge on deadline day and has not been named in any senior squads since Jaissle came in. The England international has stayed at home while youngster Aidan Harris played the role of number 3 in recent squads. Newcastle have not been able to find Pope a club so far, and Pope doesn't want to be number 3. Celtic have enquired but he is facing a winter of discontent if things don't tick along today.
The forward has less than a year left on his contract, with interest in recent days from Nottingham Forest. As of last night, he had not had a concrete offer, with his leadership skills deemed important by Jaissle. That doesn't guarantee anything today with the window still live and Murphy a player who is admired around the Premier League. With domestic interest making it an easier deal to do, it will be one to watch.
The same goes for Joe Willock, who has been courted by Besiktas all summer; however, every minute that goes by points to the ex-Arsenal man staying where he is. Having won his place in Jaissle's side over a tricky summer, it won't be an issue for him if any deal didn't go through. One insider stated that things can change quickly when pressed last night, but by the same token, no unpopular departures are expected. And that is quite ironic, given the summer began with the exit of Anthony Gordon to Barca before Sandro Tonali also quit for Spurs and Bruno Guimaraes finally got his wish to join Arsenal.
