A good tournament can really put you in the shop window. And that is good news for Manchester United, presuming they plan to cash in after some eye-catching performances on the international stage.
The Red Devils confirmed on Wednesday that Donny van de Beek will be playing La Liga – and Champions League – football next season with Girona.
Van de Beek becomes the latest departure from a club looking to wash their hands from a series of big-money signings.
Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial have already departed on free transfers, while Jadon Sancho clearly has no future as long as Erik ten Hag remains the sheriff in Manchester United’s town.
And then there’s Facundo Pellistri.
The £9 million winger who will not earn United quite as much money as Sancho will – and who won’t free up anywhere near as much space in the wage bill as Varane – but one who’s departure may add a few more million to the coffers for a side planning to follow up the incoming Joshua Zirkzee with a few more eye-catching deals.
Facundo Pellistri could leave Manchester United
Interest surely won’t be in short supply.
Not after Pellistri helped Uruguay reach the semi-finals of the Copa America, opening the scoring in that 5-0 obliteration of Bolivia. The speedy forward’s agent has already confirmed, during an interview with Radio Carve Deportiva, that there are two clubs who have made their interest known.
“We are going to wait for the end of the Copa America to see the future,” says Edgardo Lasalvia. “For Pellistri, I had contacts from Panathinaikos and Real Valladolid.”
Promoted back to La Liga last season, a move to Real Valladolid would be Pellistri’s third shot at Spanish football after hit-and-miss loan spells with Deportivo Alaves and Granada.
“He would be a very important player. We talked about many names and one of them, without a doubt, is him,” Valladolid coach Paulo Pezzolano tells AS
“I think that being with us could be very beneficial for him, although there are financial details that may or may not happen. It could be good for him.”
As for Panathinaikos, well they are clearly not putting all their eggs in the Pellistri basket.
According to Tuttomercatoweb, there is interest in former Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Liverpool and, erm, Stoke City ace Xherdan Shaqiri. The Swiss schemer is entering the final few months of his contract at MLS outfit Chicago Fire.
And though he reportedly has doubts over whether a move to Greece would be the right step, Panathinaikos are clearly not ready to accept defeat just yet.
Xherdan Shaqiri may be the Pellistri alternative
Pellistri may have similar reservations.
A move to Real Valladolid would give Pellistri the chance to continue his development in one of Europe’s major leagues. The Greek top-flight does not harbour quite so much allure, even if Panathinaikos will be playing – potentially against Manchester United – in the Europa League next term.
And, like with Sancho, the confirmation that Ten Hag would be staying on could be fatal to any hopes Pellistri may have had of kick-starting his Man United career.
The former Penarol whizzkid has found opportunities hard to come by under the Dutchman. His agent, meanwhile, has already said that a departure may be sought unless Ten Hag was removed from post.
“Whether he returns to Manchester in the middle of the year will depend on the performance he shows (at Granada). If Ten Hag continues, it’s going to be difficult,” Edgardo Lasalvia tells Sport 890.
“(Ten Hag) hasn’t used him, valued him, or treated him like a professional.”
- READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25
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