Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool target hands in transfer request to force move
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Metro or go back to LFC Live.
Matias Fernandez-Pardo featured for Belgium at the World Cup (Picture: Getty) Belgium World Cup star Matias Fernandez-Pardo has asked to leave Lille amid speculation linking him with Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea. Fernandez Pardo has handed in a transfer request (Picture: Reuters) However, at this stage, the Belgian appears likely to stay put, with Lille president Olivier Letang insisting Fernandez-Paro is not for sale this summer. ‘The player is under contract until 2029, and his departure is not a topic,’ Letang said. ‘We are counting on him, he knows that, and we have been very clear with him.’ Asked if the player had a release clause, Letang hit back: ‘He never had a release clause.
Every player I told could leave has left. ‘It’s the same old story as last summer, with yet another new agent.’ The young forward has made 71 appearances for Lille (Picture: Reuters) While Fernandez-Paro appears unlikely to leave, Lille could face a far bigger fight on their hands to keep hold of talented central midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi after his breakout performances at the World Cup. Fellow Lille player Ayyoub Bouaddi is also wanted by top European clubs (Picture: Getty) ‘Many clubs are interested in him, but very few can afford him right now, he recently told Eurosport. ‘He’s already one of the best midfielders in the world and still has significant room for improvement.
He’s only 18 and has his whole future ahead of him. How much have players like Anderson or Tonali been sold for, who are much older, but without room for improvement, so you have an idea of the value of Ayyoub, who has a unique profile at only 18 years old.’ Asked about Bouaddi’s potential, Letang added: ‘Having worked with him for over three years, I can say he’s an extraordinary young man, unique in every way. ‘He belongs among the true sportsmen like Victor Wembanyama, Paul Seixas, Leon Marchand, or Kylian Mbappe. ‘I could mention Rodri, Sergio Busquets, (Johan) Cruyff, (Albert) Einstein, (Lothar) Matthaus, etc.