Newcastle United have agreed a fee for Lille forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo, talkSPORT understands.
The Magpies are set to pay an initial £51m and an additional £4m for the versatile attacker.
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Fernandez-Pardo has been linked with clubs all around Europe, but he has picked NewcastleCredit: AFP
The 21-year-old is now set to fly to Tyneside to complete a medical and sign a five-year deal.
Newcastle have chased the Belgian international all summer, but the interest has only just been revived, and he will become the latest senior signing for Matthias Jaissle.
It is a deal that will likely see club record signing Nick Woltemade depart.
Juventus are advancing in talks to sign the German international on loan for the season with an option to buy.
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But Fernandez-Pardo is a player who European football expert Andy Brassell is a huge fan of.
Speaking to talkSPORT.com earlier this year, he said: “I love Fernandez-Pardo.
“He’s kind of a unicorn. It’s taken a long time to work out exactly what he is – I think not just for us but for him as well.
“People looked at him and thought, ‘He’s a winger’, but he’s really flourishing as a centre-forward.
“I think people’s understanding of what a centre-forward can be and should be has changed a little bit. Sometimes we think that a centre-forward does have to be someone who’s six-foot plus, who can put themselves about.
“But I think it’s really notable that since Lille’s form has improved towards the end of the season, they were unbeaten in 13…”
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Jaissle is receiving the backing he would have wanted in the transfer marketCredit: Getty
And Brassell believes that the 6ft1 forward is the long-term Romelu Lukaku replacement for Belgium.
He said: “Fernandez-Pardo has all of the winger’s skillset in that he’s very, very good in tight spaces. He’s a good dribbler; he’s good at beating players; he’s quick.
“But…they’ve allowed [recently departed Lille boss] Bruno Genesio, who’s an exceptional coach and an exceptional developer of young players…to use those traditional winger’s skills in a more central area.
“I think this is maybe the future for Belgium in terms of a striker [to replace Romelu Lukaku].”
The forward scored eight goals in Ligue 1 last season to help his club finish third and in the Champions League.
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Fernandez-Pardo is seen as the next striker for BelgiumCredit: GettyNewcastle’s transfer window
Once Fernandez-Pardo joins, Newcastle would have made eight senior signings this summer.
It will also take their spending towards £300m, but due to the sales of Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon and Bruno Guimaraes, the net spend will still be very low.
Nottingham Forest are also interested in Jacob Murphy, which could see the Toon make another signing as well if the long-serving winger departs.
But since Jaissle has arrived, Amar Dedic, Nico Gonzalez and now Fernandez-Pardo would have followed him to Tyneside.
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The Magpies have also made a strong start to the season with four points from six and progress in the Carabao Cup.
As long as the deal progresses smoothly, you will be able to hear Fernandez-Pardo’s debut on Saturday live and exclusively on talkSPORT as Newcastle welcome Bournemouth.