FC Groningen head scout Henk Veldmate admits that PSV Eindhoven forward Gaston Pereiro, whom the Dutch side signed to replace Memphis Depay and who took the winger's number 7 shirt, reminds him of former Arsenal and Manchester United striker Robin van Persie.
The Dutch champions secured the signature of the 20-year-old forward from Uruguayan club Nacional this summer and he has already made eleven appearances in all competitions for the Eredivisie champions.
While he is yet find a regular spot in the starting eleven, Pereiro has scored two goals for his new side and Groningen head scout Veldmate feels PSV have a gem on their hands.
Groningen were also after the Uruguay Under-20 international and the Dutch scout feels the exact qualities that made Pereiro look ‘docile’ in his own country, could make him a force to reckon with Europe.
Veldmate revealed that the young forward reminds him of Fenerbahce striker Van Persie, who like Pereiro, did not start his career as an out-and-out striker.
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Speaking to the Algemeen Dagblad, Veldmate said: “He looked docile in Uruguay and somewhat phlegmatic because of his height.
“But that same stature is fantastic for European football. He is big and strong and the fact that he can play in four positions, he reminded me of a young Van Persie.”
Pereiro has scored seven goals in 18 appearances for Uruguay Under-20s and stacked up 46 senior appearances for Nacional before he moved to the Netherlands this summer.
