Newcastle United are expected to be active on transfer deadline day with both incomings and outgoings at St James' Park. The transfer window closes at 11pm this evening.
Matthias Jaissle succeeded Eddie Howe as head coach and the Magpies have made seven senior signings, all aged 24 or under, to replace stars who have departed. Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon and Kieran Trippier are among those to have left, while goalkeepers Lukas Hornicek and Ewen Jaouen, midfielders Nico Gonzalez, Sean Steur and Aladji Bamba, winger Bazoumana Toure and right-back Amar Dedic have joined.
Fernandez-Pardo set to be marquee signing
Newcastle agreed a deal yesterday to sign Lille forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo in what will be a marquee deadline day deal. The 21-year-old can play across the frontline and is expected to become first choice in the number 10 role. The Belgian international had interest from RB Leipzig, Liverpool, Atletico Madrid and Aston Villa but chose Newcastle, with formalities expected to be wrapped up today.
Lille were determined to keep Fernandez-Pardo but the player wanted to leave. When they signed Feyenoord forward Ayase Ueda to replace him, the Magpies were given the green light to agree a deal.
Juventus lead race for Woltemade
Fernandez-Pardo's arrival will pave the way for Nick Woltemade to leave on loan, just 12 months after his club record move from Stuttgart. After struggling to nail down a position, his fortunes have not improved since Jaissle succeeded Howe, and an exit became likely if the Magpies progressed with the Fernandez-Pardo deal.
Juventus, Napoli, Fiorentina, Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund are all thought to have registered interest, but Juventus are most likely to press ahead with a loan deal for the 24-year-old today.
Willock and Murphy futures in question
Joe Willock has entered the final year of his contract and has emerged as an important figure under Jaissle. His energy suits the head coach's aggressive style, and he has started each of the last two games in the number 20 role. Besiktas remain interested, but it would take a serious offer to test Newcastle's resolve. If he stays, the question is whether United offer a new deal or risk him leaving for free next summer.
Jacob Murphy is also in the last year of his contract. The 31-year-old is in his tenth season with his boyhood club since joining from Norwich City in 2017 but has interest from Nottingham Forest. The Reds are keen to bring him to the City Ground, but Jaissle is thought to value Murphy's leadership role in the young squad.
Pope's future still unclear
Newcastle's number one goalkeeper for the last four seasons is still in the dark over his future. Jaissle told the England international in Spain to try and find a solution, with Hornicek and Jaouen his preferred options and Aidan Harris and Mark Gillespie acting as third and fourth choice so far this season.
Pope has had tentative interest from Hull City, Ipswich Town and Celtic throughout the summer, but none has materialised. There is a real possibility he remains at the club beyond the deadline. The 34-year-old is under contract until the end of the season.
Youngsters set for loan moves
Jaissle trusted a number of youngsters throughout the summer, and Rory Finneran joined Notts County on loan after impressing on his debut at the weekend. Chronicle Live was told last week that two or three more may follow Finneran out of the loan door.
Sean Neave has plenty of interest and has outgrown under-21s football, making him a prime candidate to move. Full-back Leo Shahar, who has been in all three of Jaissle's matchday squads, is also likely to attract interest. Miodrag Pivas featured heavily in pre-season and could be another loan candidate, while Mason Miley is expected to stay with the under-21s. Trevan Sanusi struggled on loan at Lorient last season but has shown on his return he is above under-21 level.
