Newcastle United rounded off a busy summer in style with the £51million deadline day signing of Matias Fernandez-Pardo from Lille.
The Magpies identified the 21-year-old Belgian as a top target at the beginning of the summer but were told he wanted Champions League football. But last week that stance changed, and the Magpies have worked around the clock to secure a deal.
Fernandez-Pardo became United’s eighth signing of the summer after Ewen Jaouen, Bazoumana Toure, Sean Steur, Aladji Bamba, Lukas Hornicek, Amar Dedic and Nico Gonzalez, taking the total summer spend to around £270million.
Newcastle have also raised £244million in player sales in a transitional summer that has seen Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes leave.
Nick Woltemade is also joined that list, though only on loan, after Fernandez-Pardo’s arrival paved the way for him to move to Juventus. The agreement is a straight loan, with no obligation or option to buy.
The 24-year-old’s departure comes just a year after he joined Newcastle for a club-record £69million from Stuttgart.
Now the transfer window is closed, here’s the strongest XI we think is available to Matthias Jaissle:
5. CB: Sven Botman
Night and day from pre-season. The Dutchman has been outstanding in the opening three games and crucially, he looks fit and robust too. | Getty Images
6. LB: Lewis Hall
Hall is still only 21, but with several senior players leaving this summer, his importance within the squad has grown significantly. | Getty Images
7. CM: Nico Gonzalez
A 60-yard ping just a minute into his debut against Tottenham Hotspur offered an early glimpse of how crucial Gonzalez will be for Newcastle this season. | Getty Images
8. CM: Lewis Miley
Will be a central figure this season and looks more than ready to take on that responsibility. Maturity beyond his years. | Getty Images