Newcastle United remain hopeful of completing a deal for Matias Fernandez-Pardo before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.
Reports from France suggested the Magpies had ended their pursuit after Lille placed a £60million valuation on the forward. However, Newcastle Confidential understands that negotiations have not been abandoned. Sporting director Ross Wilson will only approve a transfer that fits within the club’s long-term financial plans and does not create difficulties under Premier League or UEFA spending regulations. Those concerns have been addressed during the summer, with Newcastle now working within an agreed transfer framework.
Fernandez-Pardo has long been regarded as an ambitious target, with Newcastle’s interest first revealed in the final Confidential column of last season. The 21-year-old was initially believed to be prioritising a club offering Champions League football, but there has been growing optimism in recent days that he would consider a move to St James’ Park.
Newcastle’s £50million statement signing of Nico Gonzalez from Manchester City has also improved the club’s image after several high-profile departures this summer.
That momentum has been strengthened by confirmation of a £190million redevelopment of the training ground and an encouraging opening-day performance against Liverpool. There is a clear sense of renewed belief inside St James’ Park and among the supporters as Newcastle approach the end of the transfer window.
The Belgium international is viewed as a highly adaptable forward, capable of operating in any of the four attacking roles favoured by new head coach Matthias Jaissle.
Matias Fernandez-Pardo remains an ambitious Newcastle target after the club’s interest was revealed in the final Confidential column of last season
Joelinton injury boost
Newcastle midfielder Joelinton is dealing with a quad injury, but the setback is understood to be less serious than initially feared, Confidential can reveal.
The nature of the Brazilian’s problem had remained unclear since Jaissle said 11 days ago that Joelinton would be unavailable for at least a “couple of weeks”.
There had been fears that the injury could keep him out for a significant period, particularly after he required thigh surgery in 2024 and spent four months on the sidelines. This time, however, the 30-year-old does not need an operation and the latest updates have been encouraging. He is expected to be available again once the symptoms have settled.
A precise comeback date has not yet been set, although Newcastle are hopeful he can return before September’s international break.
Newcastle midfielder Joelinton has suffered a quad injury, but the problem is understood to be less severe than first feared
Newcastle set for Minteh windfall
Newcastle are in line to benefit from a sell-on clause included in the agreement that took Yankuba Minteh to Brighton two years ago.
Liverpool are pursuing the 22-year-old winger and are prepared to offer £65million for his transfer to Anfield. Brighton, however, are seeking a figure closer to £80million, with discussions still continuing between the clubs.
Minteh moved from Newcastle to Brighton for £30million in the summer of 2024, when the Magpies were working to avoid a Premier League points deduction for breaching profit and sustainability regulations. Unlike the deal that saw Elliot Anderson join Nottingham Forest during the same period, Newcastle’s agreement with Brighton did contain a sell-on provision.
The clause is believed to be worth approximately 10 per cent of any profit generated by a future sale. If Minteh joins Liverpool for a fee in the region currently being discussed, Newcastle could receive an additional £4-5million — a valuable boost under the Premier League’s Squad Cost Ratio regulations.
Yankuba Minteh’s potential move from Brighton to Liverpool could earn Newcastle a valuable share of the transfer fee
No surgery for Burn
Dan Burn has damaged the deltoid ligaments in his ankle and is likely to be missing until mid-October, Confidential understands.
The good news is that the club captain does not need surgery and there is still an outside chance that he could return just before the September break. However, Burn will not be rushed and the expectation is that he will use that three-week period for international matches to build his fitness on Tyneside.
The protective boot he is wearing has given rise to fears of the problem being more serious, but that is standard practice for such an injury.
The deltoid ligament is a strong, triangle-shaped band of connective tissue on the inside of the ankle that stabilises the area and prevents outward rolling of the foot. Burn damaged his deltoid ligaments when his foot rolled in training last week.
Newcastle will not, as it stands, enter the market for a new centre-back. Sven Botman answered some of the concerns around him from pre-season with a strong display against Liverpool on Sunday.
Dan Burn in his protective boot on Sunday – but the good news is he won’t require an operation
Osula blow a real pain
Finally, on injuries at least, William Osula has avoided a broken foot but will face a spell on the sidelines.
We understand the striker suffered the injury when he collided with Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson during the first half of Sunday’s 2-2 draw. Osula played on before succumbing to the pain 10 minutes after half-time.
While there is no significant damage, it looks like being an absence that is measured in weeks rather than days, with the pain needing to settle before a return date is set.
That is a blow given Osula was lively and helped set the tone against the Reds. It is likely that Yoane Wissa will revert to striker as opposed to Nick Woltemade, with Jacob Ramsey and Joe Willock vying for the No10 role at Tottenham on Saturday.
Woltemade’s future is uncertain and there could yet be movement in the final days of the window should an offer emerge, most likely from Germany.
Willock is wanted by Besiktas and Newcastle have a decision to make with the midfielder in the final year on his contract. Jaissle told us on Sunday that he wants to keep him.
William Osula was superb for Newcastle on Sunday and his injury is a real blow for Matthias Jaissle
Pope to stay
Nick Pope will be staying at Newcastle beyond the transfer window, as it stands.
We are told that the goalkeeping slots at viable suitors are all taken at this present time and, barring injury to those keepers or an unexpected approach over the weekend, the 34-year-old will remain at St James’ Park entering the final year of his contract.
Newcastle are still trying to find a solution given Pope has been told he would be third choice, but time is running out.
Toon kids shining
I went to watch the Under 21s on Monday night during their 3-1 defeat by Tottenham.
We should expect to see striker Sean Neave and defender Miodrag Pivas involved in tonight’s Carabao Cup tie against West Brom after they were taken off at half-time at Whitley Park, but Mason Miley played the full match.
Of those who caught the eye, Korean winger Park Seung-Soo was the pick, while scorer Vakhtang Salia clearly has ability.
I know those on the inside are excited about the 18-year-old Georgian, whose first year on Tyneside was disrupted by injury. He looks like a forward with scope for big improvement.
