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:
9. RW: Anthony Elanga
Elanga has scored two goals in his opening two Premier League matches, already one short of last season’s tally. | Getty Images
10. LW: Harvey Barnes
Works hard down the left, even when it isn’t happening for him in the final third. Capable of scoring a goal at any moment. | Getty Images
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11. NO.10: Yoane Wissa
Has returned to Tyneside a totally different player this summer after his debut campaign was plagued by injury and fitness issues. | Getty Images
12. ST: Matias Fernandez-Pardo
The £51million new boy has admitted he prefers to play as the nine, so is that a hint to his role at NUFC? The Belgian can play anywhere across the front positions, so offers plenty of versatility. | AFP via Getty Images