Penarol will not stop in Facundo Pellistri’s way if Newcastle United or Wolverhampton Wanderers step up their interest, with the club’s vice-president fully aware that his departure may be unavoidable, as reported by Republica.
There are not many players who spend their peak years back home in South America.
If they are good enough, the most exciting talents in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and co are usually on their way to Europe sooner rather than later, and it seems only a matter of time before Pellistri is on a flight across the Atlantic.
Wolves are always on the lookout for exciting youngsters and Pellistri, with an £8 million release clause in his contract, could be set to join the likes of Diogo Jota, Pedro Neto and co at Molineux (AS).
Newcastle have also been linked, with the Montevideo-born wonderkid making a huge impact in his breakthrough year back home in Uruguay.
Penarol are used to cashing in on their most exciting prospects and, as vice-president Rodolfo Catino points out, Pellistri will be free to follow in the footsteps of Real Madrid’s Fede Valverde and Los Angeles’ Brian Rodriguez.
“We sold Brian Rodríguez for almost £10 million and Facundo Pellistri came out right away (to replace him),” Catino says.
“And when we sell Pellistri another one will come out (to replace him). Penarol generates youth to sell and make it possible to invest more money to try to have a better participation at the international level.”
Penarol manager Diego Forlan, he of 2010 World Cup fame, admitted to Fox Sports recently that Pellistri will be on his way sooner rather than later, claiming that it would be all-but impossible to keep hold of a forward with ‘very good potential’.
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