Manchester United winger Facundo Pellistri is in demand after a series of impressive displays for Uruguay at the Copa America.
If a second half of the season loan spell at Granada did little for Facundo Pellistri’s transfer value, then Manchester United should be thankful for the Copa America.
Pellistri has been a regular starter with Uruguay unbeaten at the tournament so far and knocking Brazil out in the quarter-finals.
The winger’s future at Manchester United is in question, and his international displays are placing Pellistri in the shop window.
Real Valladolid manager on Facundo Pellistri
In an interview with Debate Uruguay, the winger’s agent Edgardo Lasalvia stated that two clubs are interested in signing Facundo Pellistri.
Lasalvia named Real Valladolid and Panathinaikos. Manchester United fans will recall Lasalvia slammed manager Erik ten Hag, suggesting Pellistri will leave unless the manager is sacked.
Ten Hag signed a contract extension last week, and now a manager at one of the two interested clubs has confirmed the interest.
Real Valladolid manager Paulo Pezzolano is quoted via Spanish newspaper AS: “He would be a very important player. We talked about many names and one of them, without a doubt, is him.
“I think that being with us could be very beneficial for him, although there are financial details that may or may not happen.”
It is unclear whether Valladolid have the funds to present a permanent offer for Pellistri or are aiming to land him on loan.
Pezzoloan added: “Coming to a team like ours in pre-season, adapting well to the group, knowing that he is coming to an intense, dynamic, vertical team when he is on the outside… He can really shine when he steps into the area. It could be good for him.”
Valladolid have just won promotion back to La Liga. Whether spending another season competing at the wrong end of the Spanish top flight appeals to Pellistri, is another matter, after tough spells with Alaves and Granada.
He might hope that his Copa America performances might expand the market for his services.
Pellistri was named in the team of the round for the group stages and earned particular praise from the Uruguayan media after his performance against Bolivia.
Pellistri into Copa America semi-finals
Facundo Pellistri’s Uruguay knocked Brazil out in the quarter-finals, their second victory over the Selecao this year.
A final awaits against most likely Argentina, who play Canada, where Pellistri could take on Manchester United teammates Lisandro Martinez and Alejandro Garnacho.
First they face a very tough semi-final against Colombia, a match of two in-form teams. Colombia are unbeaten in 27 games in all competitions, and won their quarter-final 5-0 against Panama.