Manchester United announced on transfer deadline day that they had completed the signing of Facundo Pellistri from Uruguayan outfit Penarol on a five-year contract.
The Red Devils also signed Edinson Cavani and Alex Telles on October 5, while a deal for Atalanta BC youngster Amad Diallo was agreed, with the move to go through in January 2021.
United had been linked with Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho and Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele but neither arrived at Old Trafford before the deadline passed.
Pellistri's move to the 20-time English champions has been met with excitement in South America, but who is the teenager and what are his credentials? Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look.
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Pellistri, who turned 18 last December, featured on 37 occasions for Penarol's first team between 2019 and 2020, contributing two goals and four assists in the process.
Upon announcing the youngster, United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told the club's official website that Pellistri "will be a real talent for the long term" and accepted that "it will take time for him to adapt to the English game".
However, according to The Independent, the Uruguayan could be set for an immediate first-team role with the 20-time English champions, who have allegedly been scouting him for the last three years.
Pellistri largely operates as a right-sided attacker, and it would be fair to say that the Red Devils are light in that area of the field, with Daniel James struggling to make his mark.
Mason Greenwood is currently the team's first-choice option on the right, but the England international is likely to become a centre-forward in the near future, and United had earmarked Sancho to operate in that area of the field before ultimately being made to to admit defeat in their pursuit.
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Former Barcelona playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme called Pellistri "young and talented" before describing him as a "real rascal" in quotes published by Teledoce last year.
The youngster actually played under former Red Devils forward Diego Forlan at Penarol before the 41-year-old was sacked in September following a run of just four wins from 11 matches at the helm.
"Pellistri has huge potential," Forlan told Jogo Bonito. "He is growing and he makes the difference. We know it will be difficult to keep him for a long time."
Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Napoli and Manchester City are all believed to have been interested in the South American, but United won the race, securing him on a contract until June 2025 with the option of a further year, meaning that he has plenty of time to develop at Old Trafford.
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Standing at 5ft 9in, Pellistri's ability to carry the ball and sharp change of direction means that he has the tools required to be a real threat in the Premier League, while he was handed the number 10 shirt at Penarol by Forlan.
The attacker is believed to have grown up playing 'Baby Futbol' - a version of the sport played in a confined space by children aged four to 13 - and his tenacity should make him a hit with the English club's supporters.
United's new number 28 arrived for a fee in the region of €10m (£9m), meaning that there will not be immediate pressure on the youngster, who will be allowed the time to develop in a new country.
"Everyone knows that Manchester United is a club that gives young players an opportunity and I am ready to work hard every day to earn those chances and prove myself in England," Pellistri told United's website.
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The opportunities could arrive sooner rather than later as the Red Devils, who have lost two of their three Premier League matches this season, are certainly in need of something different.
The presence of fellow Uruguayan Cavani at Old Trafford is also sure to help the youngster, and the two individuals have already shared an exchange on social media, with Cavani writing on his official Instagram account: "Congratulations Facu. Safe travels and we'll be waiting here to accompany you."
"Thank you very much Edi! You are a crack (great player). Let's go!" replied Pellistri, who could, in theory, make his Premier League debut against Newcastle United on October 17.
Whether Solskjaer has plans to use Pellistri in the Premier League and Champions League in the near future remains to be seen, but there is clearly serious excitement at the club due to the attacker's huge potential.
Matt Law
