Arsenal are interested in signing Lille striker Matias Fernandez-Pardo, although the French club are reluctant to sanction the player’s departure this summer, according to L’Equipe.

Fernandez-Pardo enjoyed an excellent breakout season in 2025/26, netting eight goals and providing six assists in 41 appearances across all competitions. This return has been enough to prompt interest from several top clubs across Europe, including the Gunners, Chelsea, Liverpool and Atlético Madrid.

Manchester United are also said to be in the mix, with the Red Devils supposedly working on a deal for the 21-year-old.

However, despite the player recently sourcing a new agent to manage the next step in his career, Lille’s president has publicly revealed that he plans to remain staunch in his stance that the Belgian isn’t for sale.

Arsenal Interested in Matias Fernandez-Pardo

Arsenal’s priority this summer is to sign a dynamic left-winger to complement Bukayo Saka on the right. Hence, the Gunners are being heavily linked with a move for Vinicius Junior, among others.

However, sporting director Andrea Berta is reportedly keen on also bringing a new centre-forward to the Emirates in this window. The potential acquisition wouldn’t necessarily be an immediate upgrade on either Kai Havertz or Viktor Gyokeres, but would potentially succeed both players in a few years, as the pair of strikers come into their late 20s.

Junior Kroupi has been linked for this role, although the Bournemouth star may prove to be too expensive. Instead, L’Equipe report that Fernandez-Pardo is on Berta’s radar.

The Belgium international has established himself as Lille’s first-choice striker since Hamza Igamane suffered a serious knee injury during AFCON in January.

Igamane isn’t expected back before October, and thus, Lille aren’t keen on allowing a player they’re reliant on in Fernandez-Pardo to leave this summer.

The club’s president, Olivier Letang, has spoken to the youngster’s new agent and informed him that his client’s exit won’t be sanctioned.

“The player is under contract until 2029, and his departure is not an issue,” Letang told L’Equipe.

“We are counting on him; he knows that, and we have been very clear with him. He never had a release clause. Every player I told could leave has left. It’s the same old story as last summer, with yet another new agent.”

Fernandez-Pardo is regarded as one of the fastest players in Europe with his Belgian teammates claiming he has reached speeds of 39km/h in sprint tests, although the player himself claimed it was 38.5km/h.

Still, that is quicker that Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven, who is the official recorded fastest Premier League player, hitting speeds of 37.38km/h.

Arsenal Must Focus on Left Winger Pursuit

If Arsenal have learned anything in recent seasons, it’s that they need to be three players deep in every position to deal with the inevitable spate of injuries they’re likely to sustain due to the congested fixture schedule.

For this reason, adding another striker option to complement Havertz and Gyokeres seems reasonable. However, left wing ought to be their priority.

The Gunners are strong across the board, but there is an obvious void of quality on the left-hand side of their attack. They need to ensure they find a top-tier talent to fill this void, and this may mean they cannot allocate resources to the centre-forward position.

Ultimately, if needed, they can keep Gabriel Jesus, or they can use Mikel Merino as the third-choice striker, with the Spaniard proving that he’s up to the task in this position.

Gianni Infantino has set a deadline for FIFA’s 211 member associations to decide whether to back his plans to sell stakes in the World Cup.

A letter to those associations from the FIFA president has been uncovered by The Times and is the latest in the controversies involving Infantino. His plans involve selling off a minority stake in a new commercial entity called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE).

The 211 national member associations would be granted tradable equity stakes as part of the deal. The proposals have led to outrage across the footballing world, with UEFA nations set to hold an emergency meeting in opposition to Infantino.

‘Should You Wish’ – Infatino Letter to Associations

REUTERS/Henry Romero

UEFA released a statement in response to Infantino’s plans, saying that the FIFA chief had “crossed a line.” His relationship with US President Donald Trump has been called out by many, and the latter’s administration has been approached about the deal.

The aforementioned outlet have now delved further into the situation and uncovered a letter from Infantino demanding associations respond to his plans by September 19th:

“The decision on whether or not to proceed with this proposal belongs entirely to you. Should you wish to proceed this $10billion package will become available as of January 1, 2027, ushering in the next phase of our journey together.”

Infatino tells those opposed to his plans: “Should you wish to retain the status quo and reject this proposal we still have our planned expansion of the Forward programme [development money] of $2.7billion as previously presented.”

The FIFA president explains that “for the upcoming cycle starting as of January 1, 2027, each member association will have the possibility of access up to $40 million per member association under this proposal.”

UEFA aren’t the only governing body to have responded to Infantino’s plans, as CONCACAF (the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football) has released a statement on X expressing that they are “deeply concerned by the lack of due process.”

The English FA have also responded, sharing those concerns and stating that “when the proposal is shared in the full and transparent way now promised by FIFA, we will make our views clear, and comment further.” England are one of the biggest nations in world football, and boycotting the World Cup, as suggested, would have a huge financial impact.

One nation that might not be present during UEFA’s emergency meeting is Czechia. Mark Kleinman of Sky claims on X that the president of the Czech Republic’s football association has “broken ranks with UEFA” and backs Infantino’s sale of commercial rights.

‘Disgrace’ – Fans Call For Infantino To Go

REUTERS/Leah Millis

Fans are the most important aspect of the sport, and, as such, their opinions are crucial. While governing bodies and government officials, including UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, give their opinions, those who pay to watch games in stadiums are letting their voices be heard.

In response to Infantino’s proposal, there has been widespread backlash on social media, and one fan called for Infantino to be removed. They wrote: “Infantino is a stain to football,this man is the epitome of bribery, corruption and anything bad that can happen to football,kick him out as the FIFA president now!”

Another agreed, calling it “Absolutely scandalous,” while one fan described Infantino as an “absolute disgrace of a man”, calling for “all countries to come together to get him out.”

One fan is deeply concerned about where Infantino is taking the sport: “Infantino is treating football like his own invention and trying to make as much money as possible from the World’s game. It’s despicable and he needs booting out. Now.”

Infantino is under pressure, but the political structure makes it extremely difficult to remove him from his position. He is also looking to serve another four-year term, which would take him into 2031.

FIFA shocked the footballing world when it emerged that it was planning a new commercial proposal that would see its major tournaments, such as the World Cup, made available for investment from private suitors.

As highlighted by its critics, the rollout of FIFA’s new commercial entity would have significant consequences for world football and its already overfull schedule.

Many of the world’s continental governing bodies and football associations have already reacted, but what exactly are the plans and why are they so controversial? GIVEMESPORT provides all the key details.

What is FIFA’s Plan?

REUTERS/Mike Segar

FIFA plans to create a new commercial subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprises (FFE), that will take responsibility for its major international competitions, such as the World Cup and the Club World Cup.

By selling off minority, non-controlling stakes to private investors, FIFA hopes to generate roughly $4.2 billion in initial capital. These funds would be distributed to FIFA’s 211 member associations through its Fast-Forward Programme.

Each of FIFA’s member associations would receive a stake in FFE worth roughly $20 million, which they can choose to keep or sell. FIFA is confident that the move will scale global development to over $10 billion over the next four years.

FIFA has stated that they will maintain a majority stake of 51 per cent to ensure control. But as has already been highlighted, with the option to sell individual stakes, theoretically 49% of its major competition ownership could end up in the hands of external investors.

Reaction to FIFA’s Plan

Left image: REUTERS/Henry Romero
Right image: REUTERS/Phil Noble

FFE was immediately condemned by the European governing body UEFA, who were able to generate their own statement before FIFA even published their report on the subsidiary. This was due to reports that were published in the Times and the Financial Times. The UK’s newly sworn-in Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, was also among the plan’s detractors.

UEFA’s response was scathing, stating that FIFA had “crossed a line” with its proposal. “The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade – especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially,” read the statement. “None of us are the owners of football. It is not Fifa’s to sell.”

“The World Cup is not a product,” added Burnham in a social media post. “It is the greatest competition in world sport, and it was never anyone’s to sell. Dress the deal up however you like. Once you have sold a piece of it, you have sold out. Football belongs to the fans. It always has, and it always will.”

The English FA’s statement on its website highlighted a lack of counsel from FIFA before publishing its proposal: “We were completely unaware of this proposal and have no substantive details, including what the proposition actually is, and what conditions are attached.

“Based on the limited information, we are deeply concerned about the lack of process and governance to get to this point, and the apparent substance and principles involved.”

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is behind the FFE plan and has stated that it is his responsibility to continue developing the game’s global reach, maximising revenue and the amount of money available to reinvest in its member associations.

“Football ‌is the world’s most popular sport and an extraordinary engine of human and social development,” Infantino stated in accordance with the strategy.

“Parts of the game ​have turned that popularity into remarkable commercial value – and we celebrate that success and want it to continue, because it lifts the whole game.

“Our job is to make sure the rest of football grows with it: FIFA exists to support sustainable, inclusive development in every corner of the world.”

Why is FIFA’s Plan Controversial?

REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

With Joshua Kushner, brother of Jared, US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, and former Disney chief executive Bob Iger linked to initial private investor bids, there are concerns over the conflict of interest created and the growing influence of external stakeholders.

Investors with multi-billion dollar stakes may not have a majority of ownership, but they would hold influence over key commercial strategy. This can present itself as an increased frequency of major tournaments or an expansion of the number of participants. When identifying potential World Cup hosts, higher-bidding nations could also be prioritised over culturally suitable or diverse bids.

An enduring topic of concern is the already busy football calendar. Domestic leagues and European competition expansion has increased the number of games teams expect to play during the season. International tournaments held over the summer already decrease the recovery period after a domestic season, increasing the chances of long-term injuries. Increasing the frequency of World Cups and Club World Cups will exacerbate this issue.

FIFA’s strategy matches corporate trends in global sport. However, football is not a corporate asset. Much of its strength and appeal lies in its competitiveness, tradition, and community. Private investment will provide an instant and significant capital injection, but those benefits will be short term. The long-term stability of the sport comes under immediate threat, potentially leading to the alienation of clubs, players, and governing bodies, and the inevitable suggestion of breakaways and boycotts.