“Contamos com ele, ele sabe disso, e fomos muito claros com ele,” Letang added, underlining that Lille expect to keep the attacker. He also said Fernandez-Pardo has no release clause, rejecting the idea that another club could trigger an automatic exit.
Interest from leading sides is a measure of the attention the forward has attracted, but it does not guarantee a deal. Lille hold the contractual leverage, and Letang’s public stance appears designed to discourage approaches from becoming a drawn-out saga. The crucial test will be whether any interested club is prepared to make an offer that changes the French club’s position.
Fernandez-Pardo is not the only Lille player attracting suitors. Teenage midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi is reportedly on Manchester City’s radar, with the English club said to be leading the pursuit after direct discussions with Lille.
Letang acknowledged the competition, saying: “muitos clubes estão interessados nele, mas poucos podem pagar agora”. His point was that interest alone will not be enough to prise Bouaddi away. Lille are expected to demand a substantial offer, while the president has also praised the midfielder’s standing in the game.
For Lille, the coming weeks will test whether that confidence can hold against the pull of Europe’s biggest clubs. Watch for formal bids-and for any sign that either player’s situation shifts before the transfer window closes.