Manchester United winger Facundo Pellistri is set to join Greek side Panathinaikos
Manchester United are enjoying a brilliant summer transfer window under the leadership of INEOS. After the acquisitions of Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, the club have now set their sights on signing a defensive midfielder with Paris Saint-Germain’s Manuel Ugarte as a priority.
The Red Devils are also looking to move on a few players before the transfer window slams shut. The departures of fringe players permanently will not only help the club balance the books but also boost INEOS’ spending power to try and get the Ugarte deal over the line.
One of the players who looks to be heading out of the Manchester United door is Facundo Pellistri. According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Man United have agreed to a €6m deal with Greek side Panathinaikos for the transfer of winger Facundo Pellistri.
The Red Devils have ensured to insert a sell-on clause in a deal for the Uruguay international, who will sign a long-term contract with Panathinaikos. Diego Alonso, the new Panathinaikos boss is not only a compatriot of Pellistri, but also managed the player during his stint as manager of the Uruguayan national team between 2021-23.
“Facundo Pellistri to Panathinaikos, here we go! Exclusive story confirmed as agreement has been sealed for €6m fee,” Fabrizio Romano tweeted from his official X account.
“Permanent deal with sell-on clause for #MUFC, while Pellistri signs a long-term contract. Pana’s Uruguayan manager Diego Alonso, key factor.”
Pellistri arrived at Man United from Penarol in 2020. For the majority of his Old Trafford career, the Uruguay international has been on the fringes, making only 25 first-team appearances across four years.
The speedy winger has spent time on loan at Spanish sides Deportivo Alaves and Granada in the last couple of years, and has not featured for Erik ten Hag’s side since December 2023, there has been a growing feeling within the fanbase that Pellistri’s time at the club is coming to an end.
Man United accepting a fee to sell Pellistri shows that he is surplus to requirements under Erik ten Hag, who has the likes of Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Amad Diallo and Antony in the wide department. The 22-year-old, who has drawn comparisons with club legend Ryan Giggs, deserves to play regularly after failing to break into the Man United side. The right-footed winger is still very young and has time in his favour to resurrect his career in Greece.
The fee the Ten Hag-managed club will receive for Pellistri is just €6m. While many fans will argue that Man United could have easily got more than that fee from Panathinaikos, it is counterbalanced by the fact that the Montevideo-born star’s contract expires next summer (Transfermarkt), and the sell-on clause allows our club to earn more in the future.
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It is such a shame that Pellistri, who was loved by the fans for his passion, work rate, commitment and directness, never really got the chance to establish himself at our club. However, he leaves Manchester with our love and well wishes!
