Transfer Centre

Facundo Pellistri turned down Lyon to join Manchester United

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 10 October 2020

Facundo Pellistri turned down the chance to join Lyon during the recent transfer window in order to complete a move to Manchester United.

Facundo Pellistri has revealed that he turned down the chance to join Lyon in the latter stages of the summer transfer window in order to complete a move to Manchester United.

The 18-year-old officially joined the Red Devils from Penarol on transfer deadline day, penning a five-year contract at Old Trafford with the option of an additional 12 months.

Pellistri has been included in United's Champions League squad for the group stages of the competition and is believed to be in the first-team plans of head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The Uruguayan has said that Lyon attempted to sign him over the summer but he could not turn down the opportunity to join the 20-time English champions.

"It's amazing that I only made my debut with the senior team a little more than a year ago," Pellistri told Telemundo. "It was unimaginable and to play in the first team with Penarol and now to do it with Manchester United, I would never 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 of it as much as possible so as not to go crazy. First came Lyon and then Manchester and I am very happy with the opportunity.

"It's a league that I always watch with my parents, seeing the great teams and you can't imagine going to play there. Now that I have the chance to play there, I'm eager to start a new adventure and see how the rhythm is and if it is as fast as they say."

Pellistri featured on 37 occasions for Penarol's first team between 2019 and 2020, contributing two goals and four assists in the process.

United's new number 28 arrived at the club for a fee in the region of €10m (£9m).