- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
HITC Football understands that Manchester United have told Facundo Pellistri he can leave the Premier League giants on a permanent basis in the January transfer window with interest from Spain, Italy and France.
The expectation was that the seldom-seen Uruguay international would be allowed to depart Old Trafford on a short-term loan deal this month, after once again struggling to force his way into Erik ten Hag’s first team plans.
HITC has been told from sources close to Manchester United, however, that the Red Devils will also consider permanent bids over the coming weeks.
Facundo Pellistri has admirers in Italy, Spain, France and Holland. He was wanted by FC Twente over the summer. But the Eredivisie outfit would struggle to compete this time around if a bidding war was to break out amongst clubs in more well-heeled leagues.
Facundo Pellistri can leave Manchester United
Man United paid £9 million to sign Pellistri from Uruguayan outfit Penarol back in 2020, the jet-heeled winger having honed his talents under national team icon and one-time Red Devils striker Diego Forlan in South America.
Pellistri has made nine Premier League appearances this season but has started just once. That is despite the struggles of Antony and Marcus Rashford, and the ongoing omission of Jadon Sancho.
Sancho is expected to re-join Borussia Dortmund imminently. Sergio Reguilon will return to Tottenham Hotspur. Donny van de Beek has already moved to the Bundesliga with Eintracht Frankfurt. Pellistri, then, is potentially the fourth first-team player on his way out the door.
Amad Diallo is a Sunderland target again
HITC Football also understands that Man United are considering their options regarding Amad Diallo. Sunderland are desperate to reunite with a player who dazzled on loan at the Stadium of Light last term. Diallo fired the Black Cats into the play offs with 14 often spectacular goals.
There is also long-running interest from Championship leaders Leicester City.
Man United may yet opt to keep Diallo in the North West, however. The Ivory Coast international offered far more when coming off the bench against Nottingham Forest last time out than the man he replaced, the embattled Antony.