Transfer journalist Nicolò Schira confirmed City's interest on Monday, with the club understood to have made initial contact with the player's representatives. Pep Guardiola has given the green light for the approach, with Fernández-Pardo identified as a potential long-term option in attack despite City's existing depth in that area.
Fernández-Pardo joined Lille from Belgian side KAA Gent last summer and has scored eight goals and provided seven assists across 40 appearances in all competitions this season, including 11 Europa League matches. He is 188cm tall, physically dominant for his age and capable of playing as a centre-forward, left winger or attacking midfielder. His contract runs until June 2029, giving Lille full leverage in negotiations.
Arsenal are also in the race. The Gunners have a well-established working relationship with Lille — having previously signed Nicolas Pépé and Gabriel Magalhães from the French club — and are understood to be actively leveraging those ties to gain an advantage over City's approach.
Atletico Madrid have gone further than either Premier League club in terms of player contact. Head coach Diego Simeone has been personally impressed and his camp have offered Fernández-Pardo a guaranteed starting role — a compelling argument for a player at an age where regular minutes are the priority. Villarreal have also made enquiries.
Despite representing Belgium at youth level, Fernández-Pardo switched his international allegiance to Spain this year and has since earned his first senior cap under head coach Luis de la Fuente. That decision is widely read as a signal that he sees his long-term future at a major European club rather than with the Red Devils.
Lille have made clear they will not sell below €60million. With City in the market for forward reinforcements — particularly if Gabriel Jesus or Julián Álvarez departures materialise — Fernández-Pardo fits the profile of a player Guardiola builds around from a young age.