From Italy: Manchester City enter European royal rumble for Belgian attacking sensation | OneFootball

Manchester City and Manchester United are in a race to sign talented Ligue 1 youngster Matias Fernandez-Pardo from Lille, according to reports in Italy. 

The 21-year-old has emerged as one of the most exciting talents this season and has earned himself a place in Belgium’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad.

Fernandez-Pardo will join the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, one of City’s greatest-ever players, and Jeremy Doku at this summer’s marquee tournament, which will be played in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The call-up came as a result of his ability to play across the attacking line and even in midfield at times, with his explosive movement and dribbling prowess consistently successful against defenders.

The soon-to-be Belgium international scored eight goals and registered five assists in Ligue 1 in the recent season to help Lille record a remarkable third-place finish behind Paris Saint-Germain and Lens. 

Report: City enter Europe-wide tussle for Fernandez-Pardo

Subsequent interest has followed the talented attacker’s ascent, with Manchester City and Manchester United fans of the Belgian, as reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona are also monitoring Fernandez-Pardo, who has had interest growing around him since way before the upcoming summer window, with Serie A side Como, who will play UEFA Champions League football for the first time next season under Cesc Fabregas, having pursued the attacker.

Their priority for some time has been Stade Rennais‘s Esteban Lepaul; however, there is aggressive competition from Benfica and Atletico Madrid, who are likely to get further in the competition next season. 

In addition, the €30 million price tag is demotivating for Como and Lepaul is understood to have committed himself to Rennes for the 2026-27 season.

Could Man City sign Fernandez-Pardo this summer?

For City, the signing of Fernandez-Pardo wouldn’t necessarily be a missed opportunity, especially because of their extremely high standards when it comes to this summer’s transfer window, which will be led by sporting director Hugo Viana.

As Enzo Maresca prepares to become the new City boss following the recent departure of Pep Guardiola, the club have begun searching for improvements to bolster the squad and future-proof Maresca’s takeover.

Elliot Anderson is on City’s radar alongside a new right-back, while Fernandez-Pardo is thought to be a cheaper solution to the chase for Bournemouth’s Eli Junior Kroupi, who is valued at £80 million.