Watford head coach Slaven Bilic has confirmed that he is interested in signing Manchester United winger Facundo Pellistri in this month's transfer window.
The Uruguayan, who made his long-awaited debut for the Reds during Tuesday night's 3-0 Carabao Cup quarter-final victory over Charlton Athletic, has been heavily linked with the prospect of a departure this month. He has been starved of opportunities at Old Trafford since joining the club in October 2020 and is desperate to earn more regular first-team football.
He spent last season on loan at Spanish side Alaves, racking up 23 appearances, before returning to United and being included on the pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia. He went to the World Cup with Uruguay and made three appearances, despite not earning a single minute worth of first-team football this term prior to the tournament in Qatar.
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Pellistri's agent, ahead of the World Cup, hinted that he could leave United as soon as the January window, meaning interest in his signature this month was always likely. And Watford chief Bilic has admitted that he fits the criteria of the type of player he wants to add to his promotion-chasing squad this month.
"He is a player that I like but it's difficult to talk about players that are not our players," said Bilic, as quoted by the Watford Observer. "But we are looking to strengthen and he fits into the areas where we are looking to strengthen.
"Hopefully we are going to do something there."
The Hornets, who are currently fourth in the Championship table, find themselves in the midst of an injury crisis, robbing them of key personal in forward positions. They are light on options and are in desperate need of reinforcements.
However, it remains to be seen if Watford will be able to lure the 21-year-old to Vicarage Road. After an impressive cameo performance against Charlton, featuring an assist, United manager Erik ten Hag confirmed the Uruguayan still has a future worth fighting for at Old Trafford.
"He's progressing, also against Everton (in the behind-closed-doors game) I was really happy with his performance, I was happy with his performance in the World Cup, his progress is really good," said Ten Hag. He's come on and had an effect so that's the next step. I say well done, better, and keep going."
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