Aston Villa are reportedly interested in Lille forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo, and are currently scouting him at the World Cup.
The 21-year-old has emerged as a top talent with the Ligue 1 side, scoring eight goals and providing seven assists in 41 appearances this past season.
His form led to inclusion in the World Cup squad for Belgium, and he is currently part of the group competing in the USA this summer.
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As per Sky Sports reporter Sacha Tavolieri, Villa have scouts at the World Cup to take a closer look at various potential transfer targets, but Fernandez-Pardo is specifically mentioned as being one of them.
It’s added that his versatility in being able to play across the frontline combined with his qualities and attributes with the pace, movement and physicality that he is able to bring to a team, have all led to him being earmarked as a possible reinforcement for the Villa attack this summer.
Contact is already said to have taken place between the respective parties to determine if Fernandez-Pardo is a genuine option to bolster Unai Emery’s squad ahead of next season, but time will tell if that develops further and leads to an official bid being submitted to try and prise him away from Lille.
Naturally, should he be able to make a positive impression at the World Cup, that will likely convince Villa that he could be a smart addition, albeit that may well also lead to an increase in his valuation.
Nevertheless, it’s an important summer for Villa and Emery, as we look to continue to improve the squad and build on our success last season, while possibly even starting the process now of refreshing the group with younger options to find that balance and complement the stalwarts already available.
The World Cup will likely slow that process down in the coming weeks, but ideally, Emery will get some of his new signings through the door ahead of pre-season to ensure that he has ample time to work with them ahead of the new campaign.
