Report: Arsenal keen on Uruguayan wonderkid Facundo Pellistri

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Arsenal are reportedly interested in snapping up talented Uruguayan forward Facundo Pellistri.

According to a report from AS, the Gunners are one of a host of big clubs from around Europe hovering over the 17-year-old South American, who has been making waves in his homeland.

Pellistri, who plays for Montevideo-based Club Atlético Peñarol in the Primera División, is currently the club’s next big prospect after Fede Valverde, who joined Real Madrid in 2017 and is now starting to catch the eye at the Bernabeu.

He supposedly is ‘one of the pearls of Uruguayan football’, and the club currently in pole position to land him are Atletico Madrid – who have been no strangers to signing Uruguayan players down the years.

AS state that Arsenal, Atleti and also Barcelona have all had contact with Pellistri’s father and representative about a potential move.

TBR’s view – Another Martinelli?

It sounds as though Pellistri is a very bright young talent indeed, but the Gunners could have their work cut out to get him – especially given Atletico’s track record with developing Uruguayans.

That said, in the summer of 2019 they managed to land fellow South American Gabriel Martinelli ahead of 25 other teams, according to The Daily Mail.

That would give them some hope in poaching Pellistri should there interest be genuine.