Penarol coach Diego Forlan knows that Facundo Pellistri ‘can leave at any time’ amid claims that Wolverhampton Wanderers and Newcastle United are targeting the wing wonder, while speaking to Sport890.
The legendary Uruguayan forward was only 22 when he was plucked from relative obscurity by Manchester United almost two decades ago.
And, despite the fact that he won’t even turn 19 until December, Pellistri could be about to follow in the footsteps of his manager when the summer transfer window opens.
A balletic number ten who slaloms through challenges at breakneck speed, Penarol’s prized asset is already a target for the likes of Wolves and Real Madrid with an £8 million release clause in his contract, according to AS.
Newcastle are also interested, as reported by the Mail in May.
And Forlan is under no illusions that, with interest rising, his diminutive dynamo will not be staying in Uruguay for long.
“Yesterday they called me from Europe because of (Pellistri), “ the former Atletico Madrid and Villarreal star says.
“I know he can leave at any time. The financial situation of the club makes me think that I have to adapt to the current situation.”
Forlan is not the only South American great who believes Pellistri is a player with genuine top-class potential in his twinkling toes.
Speaking to El Observador, a certain Juan Roman Riquelme gushed about the the teenager’s ‘rascal’ ways.
“There is not many like him around, who have the courage to be so cheeky on the pitch.”
As Allan Saint-Maximin, Hatem Ben Arfa and David Ginola have proved, there is nothing more Newcastle fans love than a ‘cheeky’ winger with an eye for the spectactular.
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