Selling players for low fees has long been a cause for concern amongst Manchester United supporters.
When rivals such as Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea bring in comparatively colossal fees for fringe players or unproven youngsters, why do the Red Devils continue to find themselves struggling to sell for profit?
When Dan James left for Leeds back in 2021, he became only the third player in the previous decade to leave Manchester United for a bigger fee than they paid to bring him in to Old Trafford.
This summer alone, Donny van de Beek has joined Girona for a six-figure sum. United also banked just over £30 million via the departures of Alvaro Fernandez (Benfica), Willy Kambwala (Villarreal) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham).
It’s a familiar story, too, with Facundo Pellistri.
Facundo Pellistri leaving Manchester United for Panathinaikois
According to Fabrizio Romano, Panathinaikos are set to sign the 22-year-old winger for a grand total of £5 million.
That is almost half the fee Man United invested in luring Pellistri away from Penarol back in 2020, when he was still a teenager and long before he had established himself as a regular fixture in the Uruguay team.
As ever, much of the blame lies with the Glazers.
Ineos have been forced to let numerous players go below market value due to the simple fact that, without departures, Man United might not have been able to finance deals for Matthijs de Ligt, Joshua Zirkzee and co.
Pellistri, despite his rather low £5 million fee, will still aid United’s pursuit of top midfield target Manuel Ugarte. Every little helps.
Pellistri, meanwhile, should relish the chance to lay down roots at Panathinaikos after a few difficult loans and life spent largely on the sidelines at Man United.
Fellow Uruguayan and former Panathinaikos manager Sergio Markarian, meanwhile, believes this is a deal that should help cut the gap between his old employers and the top of the Greek Super League table.
“Pelistri is a quality and skilled winger. Quick and capable in one-on-ones, he has the means to break down opposing defences,” Markarian tells SDNA.
“He marks the opponents and works effectively in the defensive part as well, offering help to the full-back behind him.
“It is no coincidence that, from an early age, he has been playing in the Uruguayan national team and at the age of 22 he is a key member of it.
“Great transfer for Panathinaikos.”
Winger reunites with former Uruguay boss Diego Alonso
Pellistri joins a Panathinaikos side who finished only four points behind champions PAOK last term.
Their most recent league title came over a decade ago, though the ambition they have shown in the transfer market – ex-Leicester City attacker Tete has also arrived from Galatasaray amongst others – showcases a team with genuine hopes of a title tilt.
A move to Athens, meanwhile, will see Pellistri reunite with his old Uruguay boss Diego Alonso.
“He is ambitious and wants to have a great career,” adds Markarian, formerly the coach of Paraguay, Peru and Greece. “Surely the presence of Diego Alonso, whom he coached in the national team, will help him adapt quickly to the new environment.
“Without knowing the details, I am sure that Alonso played a decisive role in the agreement with Panathinaikos.
“I think he will acclimatise quickly in Greece and show his great talent.”
- READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25
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