Leipzig appear to have done the hard part early.
From Leipzig’s perspective, the logic is obvious. They have a long track record of targeting young, upward-moving attackers and trying to secure them before the price climbs again. Fernandez-Pardo, still only 21, fits that profile.
If Arsenal are watching for a late opening, it would reflect a familiar end-of-window pattern: wait, assess, then strike if a top target becomes reachable.
For Arsenal, the attraction would be squad balance and upside. For Newcastle, it would be another statement addition in a position where pace and one-v-one quality can change games quickly.
The wider interest is not hard to understand.
That combination tends to inflate the market quickly, especially when multiple clubs are involved.
The next step is simple: watch who turns interest into signatures. With the window due to close next week, this story may move fast - and whichever club acts decisively could end up winning one of the market’s most intriguing late battles.