Arsenal are among a host of clubs keeping an eye on promising Uruguayan winger Facundo Pellistri, as per reports in Express.
The 18-year-old winger who is capable of playing on either flank and currently plays for Uruguayan club Atletico Penarol where he has burst on to the scene this season. This is shown by the fact that he has played 23 games in his first year of senior football.
The report states that the North London club have been monitoring the youngster who has been labelled as the ‘new Paulo Dybala’ along with a host of other clubs including Juventus, Atletico Madrid and their city rivals Real Madrid are interested in the winger.
Express further claim that one of the reasons that the North Londoners want to sign him is to add to their young core that consists of players such as Matteo Guendouzi and Gabriel Martinelli. Pellistri would fall under the same category and that is something that appeals to Gunners manager Mikel Arteta.
Pellistri reportedly has a £12m release clause and is eligible for an EU passport as he has Spanish ancestry which would remove any probable work permit issues. They face stiff competition to get him and that includes their Premier League rivals Manchester City and Newcastle United.
Speaking about the transfer window, Arteta spoke about the challenges that clubs will face now and how that will change the approach they have in mind. He told Sky Sports(via Express):
“We have to react daily. We don’t know what the financial situation is going to be, we don’t know the rules, the timing, the window. There are so many things we cannot control at the moment.”
A player like Pellistri is highly thought of in his homeland and it would be quite a coup for Arsenal to get a player who has been likened to Paulo Dybala. If the winger is able to replicate the success of Guendouzi and Martinelli it would prove to be a great signing.
The impact of the Coronavirus on the transfer market must also be taken into account. That could end up playing a role in whether the Gunners go ahead with a move for the talented youngster. To get Pellistri, Arsenal will have to beat some big clubs so we will have to wait and see how much Arteta wants his man.
