August 21st 2024.
Manchester United has made a significant move in the transfer market by confirming the permanent sale of Facundo Pellistri. The talented young winger will be joining Greek club Panathinaikos, who have praised his abilities in a statement.
According to reports from the BBC, the deal is worth a total of £6.8m, with United receiving an initial fee of £5.1m for Pellistri. The remaining £1.7m may be added on through performance-related bonuses. Additionally, Panathinaikos has included a buy-back clause that will be valid until 2027, as well as a sizeable 45 per cent sell-on fee.
Pellistri spent four years at Old Trafford, having joined the club from Club Atlético Peñarol in Uruguay for a fee of around £9m. However, the 22-year-old struggled to secure a regular spot in the starting lineup, making only 25 first-team appearances for the Red Devils.
Last season, Pellistri was sent on loan to Spanish side Granada, where he impressed with a goal against Barcelona in a thrilling 3-3 draw. But now, he will be making a permanent move to Greece.
In their official statement, Panathinaikos announced, "PAE Panathinaikos is delighted to acquire Facundo Pellistri from Manchester United. The 22-year-old Uruguayan attacking midfielder has signed a four-year contract and will bring his great talent and exceptional footballing skills to strengthen our team."
Meanwhile, Manchester United also released a statement, saying, "Facundo Pellistri has completed a permanent transfer to Panathinaikos. The Uruguay international, who represented his country at this summer's Copa America, will continue his career in the Greek Super League."
Panathinaikos is managed by Diego Alonso, who was the manager of the Uruguayan national team from 2021 to 2023. He selected Pellistri for the 2022 World Cup after giving him his international debut against Paraguay earlier that year.
Pellistri joined United in 2020 but had to wait patiently for his chance to play for the first team. He spent two loan spells in La Liga with Alaves, which helped him develop his game. He finally made his senior debut for the Red Devils under manager Erik ten Hag in the quarter-final match against Charlton Athletic, which led to the team winning the Carabao Cup in the 2022/23 season.
Despite facing tough competition, Pellistri was given opportunities to play in significant games, including starting in the Champions League match against Bayern Munich in the following season. He then went on another loan to Granada, where he showcased his growth and skills by scoring against Barcelona. He also impressed while playing for Uruguay under manager Marcelo Bielsa during the team's recent tour in the United States.
Upon his return to United, Pellistri came off the bench in the Community Shield match against Manchester City, which ended in a 1-1 draw and a penalty shootout loss. Unfortunately, this would be his last appearance for the club, as he now moves on to the next chapter of his career.
Everyone at Manchester United wishes Pellistri all the best with his new club and thanks him for his contributions during his time with the Red Devils. It's a significant move for both the player and the club, and we will continue to follow his progress.
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