Man Utd attacker’s agent ‘flies to England’ to seal ‘imminent’ transfer after message from Ten Hag

Lewis Oldham
Man Utd starlet Pellistri

The agent of Facundo Pellistri is reportedly ‘flying to England’ to seal his player a transfer away from Man Utd just after he made his debut for the club.

The Red Devils paid around £9m to sign Pellistri from Uruguayan side Penarol in 2020.

His Man Utd career has taken a while to get going as he did not make his debut for them until earlier this week.

The 21-year-old had two separate loan spells in La Liga with Deportivo Alaves between 2021 and 2022.

This spell did not go fully to plan as he did not score in 35 appearances. It was also reported at the time that he was struggling to make ‘himself useful’ in Spain.

Pellistri is in need of regular game time and his agent suggested before the World Cup that his Man Utd exit will be “imminent” if he performed well in Qatar. 

Lasalvia said: “I think that with a good World Cup, as we think it will have, his departure is imminent.”

Uraguay were one of the tournament’s disappointments and Pellistri was unable to make a positive impact for his side.

His Man Utd debut came as a brief cameo in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals against Charlton Athletic on Tuesday night. He made a difference as he assisted Marcus Rashford for his second goal in United’s 3-0 victory.

Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag stated post-match that Pellistri must now “keep going”.

“I see a future in him and he is doing really well and we have to see what is the best,” Ten Hag said.

“He’s progressing, also against Everton (in the behind-closed-doors game) I was really happy with his performance, I was happy with his performance in the World Cup, his progress is really good.

“He’s come on and had an effect so that’s the next step. I say well done, better, and keep going.”

Pellistri may not play again for United this season though as The Telegraph are reporting that Championship outfit Watford are ‘hoping to take him on loan’.

It is noted that ‘Watford’s interest in Pellistri pre-dates his brief involvement against Charlton’ as head coach Slaven Bilic is keen to ‘strengthen his depleted squad’.

The Hornets face a battle for Pellistri, however.  ‘A host of clubs in England and around Europe’ will keen to acquire him until the end of the season.

The report adds that Pellistri’s agent – Edgardo Lasalvia – has ‘flown to England to try and sort out his client’s immediate future before the January transfer window closes and wants him to secure a move’.

‘There is no suggestion’ that United will sell Pellistri so a simple loan deal is most likely with the player under contract until 2026. They also have the option for a further year.

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