Manchester United are keeping an eye on South American winger Facundo Pellistri, according to The Athletic.
Pellistri plays for Penarol, who United signed Guillermo Varela from in 2013.
The Uruguayan club are also managed by ex-Red Devils striker Diego Forlan, a former teammate of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Here is a little look at Pellistri and what he could offer Manchester United…
1) Pellistri is 18 and plays mainly as a right winger, although is also comfortable on the left. He made his debut for Penarol last August at 17.
2) In total Pellistri has 25 appearances as a professional and one goal. He also has three assists, and made his Copa Libertadores debut in March.
3) He has a release clause of just £10 million in his contract. His deal runs until 2022.
4) Pellistri has a Spanish passport, which means he would not require a work permit.
5) Pellistri’s pace and dribbling ability is his biggest strength. He is keen to take players on and his good close control. He also likes to drop deep and has a good work rate in trying to win the ball back.
What they say…
Former Argentine star Juan Roman Riquelme has praised Pellistri’s work rate. He was quoted by Goal saying : “(He) is quite a scoundrel in the way he plays, and that is very important.”
His manager Diego Forlan was quoted by the MEN “Pellistri has huge potential. There is still a lot to work on. He is growing and he makes the difference. We know it will be difficult to keep him for a long time. He has great pace and that is hard to handle.”
Pellistri’s style has also seen him compared to Juventus’ Paulo Dybala, Italian website Calciomercato reports.
Why not take a chance?
At just £10 million, Pellistri is a really interesting option for United to consider.
If we do not make a move, another European club will. AS has previously reported Real Madrid are keen, along with Manchester City, Wolves, Napoli, Valencia and Atletico Madrid.
Pellistri certainly needs to add end product to his game to become a complete player, but Cristiano Ronaldo had the same critique levelled at him at 18 too.
If the Uruguayan has anything like the same work rate and desire as the former United number seven, his raw ability makes him a player worth taking a chance on.
- Fabrizio Romano shares what Man Utd are now trying to do in Mateus Fernandes transfer negotiations
- Man Utd now pushing ‘intensely’ to sign Bazoumana Toure this summer, Amad could play key role
- Forget Cristiano Ronaldo, Omar Berrada’s father felt Lionel Messi ‘reminded him’ of one Man Utd legend
- Paul Pogba pinpoints Michael Carrick’s biggest test as Man Utd manager for 2026-27 Premier League season
- Man Utd legend Roy Keane names his dark horse World Cup pick that ‘no-one has really mentioned’
- Wayne Rooney predicts two World Cup teams that will reach final out of three ‘favourites’ for tournament
- Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s vision is coming true as Man United make £38.5m saving
- Roy Keane has now become more ‘open-minded’ to two teams challenging France for 2026 World Cup trophy
- Matheus Cunha: Five things Man Utd fans should watch out for in Brazil star’s first-ever World Cup tournament
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
