Manchester City’s move for Peñarol youngster Facundo Pellistri has ‘suffered a major slowdown’, with Lyon now leading the race for his signature.
City were first linked with a move for the 18-year-old in May when reports claimed they were close to winning the race for his signature.
However, there has been little information on the potential move since then with the last claims stating that things had hit the buffers.
AS provide an update today and say that Manchester City now find themselves behind French side Lyon, who are pushing to get a deal done.
The newspaper explains the City have suffered a ‘major slowdown’ in recent times, and so far there have been no ‘signs of movement’.
The City group are yet to raise their offer above €6m, which is half of his release clause, but Peñarol are resisting.
Manchester City and the player’s agents had hoped that the €6m, plus various add ons, would tempt them to accept their bid but they have ‘remained firm’.
In fact, the ‘economic crisis’ caused by the Coronavirus outbreak is now said to have ‘left Manchester City behind’, and Lyon have taken the lead in the race.
The club’s sporting director Juninho Pernambucano is pushing hard to get a deal done. He is aware Peñarol don’t want to sell on the cheap and a deal will not be easy.
So far the French side have offered €4m for 60% of Pellistri’s rights and AS explain that, although that amount is low, it would still leave Peñarol in control of 40% of him and could help both sides come to an understanding.
