Tottenham Hotspur appear set to permanently offload Argentine forward Alejo Véliz, with the 22-year-old having bid an emotional farewell to boyhood club Rosario Central.
Véliz arrived at Spurs from Rosario Central in August 2023 but never managed to carve out a role in North London, featuring just eight times for a combined total of 45 minutes. After failing to settle in England, he was farmed out to Sevilla and then Espanyol on successive loan deals, without making a meaningful impression at either club. Tottenham subsequently allowed him to return to Rosario Central on a season-long loan last summer.
Brazilian outfit Esporte Clube Bahia moved to sign the striker on a permanent basis during the January window, and while Spurs were willing to sanction the deal, Rosario Central blocked an early end to the loan. Reports from February, however, indicated that Tottenham had since agreed a €9 million fee for Véliz to move to Bahia at the end of the season.
Those reports gained further credence after Véliz scored in Rosario Central’s 4-0 Copa Libertadores win over Universidad Central de Venezuela on Tuesday, appearing visibly emotional post-match. Argentine media interpreted the scenes as a final farewell to the Gigante de Arroyito, with the striker reportedly taking the opportunity to say goodbye to supporters ahead of his anticipated move to Brazil.
Club legend Marco Ruben interrupted Véliz’s post-match interview to pay tribute to him and offer his best wishes. Ruben described the occasion as deeply meaningful, noting it marked Véliz’s second goodbye to the stadium, while expressing his belief that the striker would one day come back. He also spoke warmly of the close relationship the two had built since Véliz’s early days at the club.
Véliz himself reflected on the weight of wearing the club’s iconic number nine shirt following Ruben’s exit, acknowledging the pressure that came with it. He pledged that he had always given his all for the badge and vowed to do the same upon any future return.
Tottenham are expected to conclude the transfer in the coming months. Having originally paid around £13 million for Véliz, the agreed fee represents a notable financial loss, though the sale would draw a line under an underwhelming chapter for both club and player.
