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Manchester United have signed four players to improve the first team and have plans to add at least one more but are currently working on a couple of outgoings to steer clear of breaching any Profit and Sustainability rules.
One area where the club is well stocked is out wide and that is why the club are open to letting go of Facundo Pellistri this summer.
Erik ten Hag tried to give the young winger chances during his tenure but he has never truly shined at Old Trafford unlike on the international stage.
He was eventually sent out on his third loan in January, this time to Granada, where he netted twice and registered as many assists including a virtuoso display against Barcelona.
Pellistri’s future
However, with Amad Diallo’s emergence and Alejandro Garnacho’s ability to play on either flank, not much in terms of game time will be available for the Uruguayan.
In fact, the former Penarol star came on as a second half-substitute in the Community Shield against Manchester City, but as a right-back with the manager preferring the Argentine to come on as the right winger.
It was his mistake that led to the equaliser with the Red Devils eventually losing on penalties. While he cannot be faulted as defensive discipline is not his forte, the game was a reminder that he would not be the manager’s preferred attacking choice should he remain.
The 22-year-old has one year left in his current deal with the club having the option to trigger an extension for 365 days should they choose, which means the club does not need to agree a cut-price exit as his market value remains protected.
Pellistri had arrived for €8.5 million back in 2020 and Greek side Panathinaikos are in talks over a permanent exit with the 20-time English league champions holding out for a €10 million fee.
The Athletic have now reported that there is plenty of loan interest in the Uruguay international’s services with multiple clubs open to hijacking the Greek side’s four-year deal.
While INEOS would prefer a permanent exit, if a loan outfit offers a higher fee at the end of his temporary stint, it might become of interest to the new co-owners.
Plenty of loan interest as well
“Panathinaikos are in talks with Manchester United over a deal for winger Facundo Pellistri. An agreement in principle is in place between Panathinaikos and Pellistri on a four-year deal.
“The deal is not yet done and several other clubs hold an interest in taking the 22-year-old on loan. United would favour selling Pellistri as opposed to another loan deal and are holding out for a fee in the region of €10 million.”
Unlike his predecessor, Ten Hag has handed opportunities to the young Uruguayan and has seen him up close in training and clearly feels he is not ready for the step-up in quality.
And at this stage, surely Pellistri also does not want a backup role and hence, an exit seems most likely, something the player’s agent has been quite vocal about since last year.
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