Newcastle and Sunderland secure Belgian forwards on Premier League deadline day

Fernandez-Pardo arrives at Newcastle

Newcastle United announced the signing of Belgian forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo from French club Lille on Tuesday on a long-term contract. While the club did not disclose the financial details or contract length, British media reported that Newcastle paid a transfer fee of £51.4 million ($69.6 million). The 21-year-old forward becomes Newcastle's eighth signing of the summer transfer window after helping Lille earn qualification for the UEFA Champions League during the previous campaign. Newcastle coach Matthias Jaissle described the tactical qualities of the forward.

Matias is a highly technical player with explosiveness in his game. He can score and assist, he has courage, and he has the ability to take players on.

The Belgian attacker expressed enthusiasm for the move in a club statement.

In terms of my own career progression, it made complete sense to come so I didn't hesitate at all. I'm still young, I'm still hungry, and that's why I'm here.

Sunderland secure agreement for Fofana

Fellow Premier League side Sunderland reached an agreement with Olympique Lyonnais to sign 21-year-old Belgian winger Malick Fofana for a deal worth just under £30 million (€30 million plus bonuses). The financial structure comprises an initial payment of £25.6 million alongside a potential £4.3 million in add-on clauses. Fofana received permission to travel to England for a medical examination ahead of signing a five-year contract that includes an option for an additional year. Sunderland entered the race after defending Premier League champions Arsenal held discussions with the player but failed to finalize a transfer fee with Lyon. Crystal Palace, AS Roma, Everton, and Chelsea had also registered interest or held talks for Fofana across past transfer windows.

Squad restructuring at Sunderland and Lyon

Sunderland are strengthening the squad under manager Regis Le Bris before embarking on their first European campaign in 51 years following qualification for the Europa League. Fofana joins a group of summer arrivals at the Stadium of Light that includes defender Thomas Meunier, full-back Dayann Methalie, midfielder Jules Ahoka, and defender Kevin Danso, who is arriving on loan from Tottenham with an option to buy. The Black Cats finished seventh in their first season following promotion to the top flight, opening the 2026–2027 season with a defeat at Ipswich before securing a victory over Fulham on Sunday. To fill the vacancy left by Fofana, Lyon have accelerated negotiations to sign Japanese winger Keito Nakamura from Reims after Fofana delivered two goals in six matches this season, including strikes against Toulouse and Fenerbahce.

Deadline day activity across the Premier League

The transfer window across the Premier League closes at 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 1, with total competition spending tracking to exceed the record £3.14 billion recorded in the previous year. Clubs across the division finalized multiple transactions on deadline day, including Everton securing striker Folarin Balogun and Tottenham moving for Mykhailo Mudryk, while Sunderland previously explored Jack Grealish before the winger moved toward an Everton switch. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta turned focus back to recruitment following a 1-0 win at Aston Villa decided by a Bukayo Saka goal, as the club evaluated a potential approach for Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez.

I said, we are trying to improve the squad, and until tomorrow night we're going to try to do that. I've been disconnected from the world for 24 hours because I think my energy and focus has to be on the match. I will get back on it now.