Newcastle United are finalising the signing of Matias Fernandez-Pardo from Lille after a €60million (£51.4m, $69.6m) plus add-ons deal was agreed between the clubs.
The transfer is now in the process of being finalised, with personal terms on a five-year contract not anticipated to be an issue for the 21-year-old attacker.
Fernandez-Pardo, who can play across the front line, is expected to travel and undergo his St James’ Park medical before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.
Newcastle have had a busy summer with seven players arriving to join head coach Matthias Jaissle’s new-look squad.
Midfield has been an area of focus, with Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali departing and Nico Gonzalez, Aladji Bamba and Sean Steur arriving as replacements.
Goalkeepers Lukas Hornicek and Ewen Jaouen have also been added, with full-back Amar Dedic and winger Bazoumana Toure joining too.
Fernandez-Pardo was a key player for Lille last term, starting 27 of the club’s 34 Ligue 1 games and scoring eight goals as they finished third to qualify for the Champions League.
He is yet to feature this season after missing the opening-day game against Angers through suspension and not being included in the matchday squad.
A Belgium international, Fernandez-Pardo has won five caps for his country, including making three appearances at this summer’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Newcastle have made an impressive start to the new season, collecting four points from opening games against Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, including the 2-0 win in north London on Saturday.
Analysis by Newcastle correspondent Chris Waugh
Fernandez-Pardo has been a long-term target and was a player Newcastle feared was unattainable for most of the summer.
Yet they are closing in on getting a forward they believe will add even further pace and attacking threat to their frontline. He can play on the left or as a No 9 and is tall, powerful and direct in his style.
Jaissle really likes Fernandez-Pardo, but so too did Eddie Howe and he has been watched closely by Newcastle throughout his time at Lille. This is a player they have long coveted as a club.
After a difficult summer, optics-wise, for much of it, with big players leaving and Howe departing, the past two weeks have been very positive for Newcastle, on and off the field.
Bringing in Fernandez-Pardo would really top that off. He would be a signing who undoubtedly improves their first XI and squad.