Granada 'closing in on loan deal for Manchester United's Facundo Pellistri'

There has been a host of speculation surrounding the Uruguay international's future over the last couple of weeks, with the Red Devils seemingly open to letting him leave on loan.

At one stage, PSV Eindhoven looked to be the favourites, but Granada then moved to the head of the queue, with the La Liga outfit looking to bring him back to Spain.

Pellistri has had two separate loan spells at Alaves, featuring on 35 occasions for the Basque outfit, with 33 of those appearances coming in Spain's top flight.

Earlier this week, it was reported that the 22-year-old's proposed loan move to Granada had stalled, with Alexander Medina's side only offering to pay a small proportion of his wages.

However, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, a breakthrough has now been reached, with the South American close to joining Granada on loan.

Romano claims that the final contacts are expected to be concluded on Wednesday, and Pellistri has already signalled that he wants to make the move to Nuevo Estadio de Los Carmenes.

Pellistri made the move to Man United from Penarol in 2020, and he has featured on 24 occasions for the club, with 14 of those appearances coming during the 2023-24 campaign.

The forward has played nine times in the Premier League this season, but he has only contributed one assist, and he has only featured once from the start in England's top flight during the 2023-24 campaign.

Amad Diallo's return to fitness has seemingly pushed Pellistri down the pecking order, with the former set to remain at Old Trafford this month despite loan interest from the Championship.

Man United will be without Anthony Martial for the next 10 weeks following a groin operation, while Jadon Sancho has returned to Borussia Dortmund on loan.

As a result, a departure for Pellistri would leave the Red Devils short of numbers in the final third of the field, but they do not have any European football in the second half of the season.

Man United are competing on just two fronts, the Premier League and the FA Cup, and they will take on Newport County in the fourth round of the latter competition on Sunday.

Head coach Erik ten Hag is believed to be comfortable with his attacking options, although it is understood that the club would be willing to make a signing before the end of the window if the right opportunity arrived.