21yo Arsenal target’s transfer request rejected

21yo Arsenal target’s transfer request rejected Matias Fernandez-Pardo has asked to leave Lille OSC this summer, with Arsenal interested, but club president Olivier Letang insists he’s not going. Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images Regis Testelin and Loic Tanzi report for L’Equipe that Matias Fernandez-Pardo would like to leave Lille this summer, and Arsenal are on a list of clubs with an interest in him. The Gunners aren’t the only ones in the race, with Liverpool, Chelsea, and Atletico Madrid also all reportedly after the striker. But it may not matter, as Lille president Olivier Letang is insisting Fernandez-Pardo isn’t leaving. “The player is under contract until 2029, and his departure is not an issue,” Letang said. “We are counting on him, he knows that, and we have been very clear with him.” Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images Fernandez-Pardo is expected back in training this weekend, despite claims that he has a release clause in his contract. On this point, Letang was clear with the media. “He never had a release clause,” the Lille president insisted. “Every player I told could leave has left. It’s the same old story as last summer, with yet another new agent.” Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images Arsenal seem to be in the market for attacking additions this summer, and Fernandez-Pardo is certainly a talent worth looking at. The 21-year-old striker scored eight goals and assisted another seven in 2025/26, going on a run of seven goal contributions in Lille’s final 10 games of the Ligue 1 campaign. The Belgium international helped his club side qualify for the Champions League this season, before heading off to the World Cup, where he played 41 minutes across three appearances before their eventual elimination by Spain. Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images