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Football

11th Oct 2020

Facundo Pellistri rejected Champions League semi-finalists for Manchester United

Manchester United's new recruit Facundo Pellistri has revealed that he rejected an offer from Champions League semi-finalists Lyon to join the Red Devils

Reuben Pinder

He had the chance to go to France

Facundo Pellistri has revealed that he had another offer during the transfer window from another club not named Manchester United.

The 18-year-old Uruguayan joined United on transfer deadline day from Penarol, and has said it is a dream come true to become a United player.

Pellistri told Uruguayan outlet futbol : “It was unimaginable to play in the first division of Penarol and now to do it at Manchester United.

“I would near have dreamed of it and it is something very emotional for me and my family. There was a lot of talk about the two offers and luckily they tried to leave me out as much as possible so as not to go crazy.

“First came Lyon and then Manchester, and I am very happy with the opportunity.”

The fact that Lyon made an approach to sign this player should reassure United fans that they are getting a very talented player. Lyon have an outstanding recruitment record in recent years, now it’s down to United to make the most of this rough diamond.

Pellistri was one of four player to sign for United on deadline day after a disappointing transfer window that saw their tiresome pursuit of Jadon Sancho come to nothing.

Amad Diallo Traoré also agreed to join from Atalanta, subject to a work permit which United are confident they can get over the line. The Atalanta starlet is a young winger United have supposedly been tracking for at least a year but decided to wait until deadline day to sign.

Meanwhile more experienced heads in Alex Telles and Edinson Cavani came in to address the gaping problems up top and at left-back. Telles should be United’s most celebrated transfer of the summer, especially after Luke Shaw’s horror show against Tottenham Hotspur.