Transfer Centre

Alejo Veliz confirms "imminent" Tottenham Hotspur transfer

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 06 August 2023

Rosario Central striker Alejo Veliz confirms his "imminent" £12m transfer to Tottenham Hotspur and hints that he will not be returning to his native Argentina on loan.

Rosario Central striker Alejo Veliz has confirmed that he will be joining Tottenham Hotspur in the summer transfer window.

The Lilywhites are believed to have struck a deal to sign the 19-year-old for approximately £12m, and he has already agreed personal terms over a five-year deal.

Veliz is expected to undergo his medical with Tottenham over the weekend ahead of his unveiling, and he was recently spotted at an Argentinian airport preparing to board his flight to London.

While there, the Argentina Under-20 international revealed that he was bound for the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, although there have been suggestions that he could be loaned back to Rosario.

The second phase of the Argentine Primera Division runs between August and November, but Veliz has said that he will issue a "formal" farewell message to Rosario supporters, seemingly confirming that he is departing for good.

Alejo Veliz celebrates scoring for Rosario Central in October 2022 © Reuters

"I just wait to sign my contract with Spurs, it's imminent. I will say goodbye to the [Rosario] fans with a formal message," the teenager told ESPN.

Veliz will join fellow Argentinians Cristian Romero and Giovani Lo Celso in North London, although the latter's future has been called into question following his recent loan with Villarreal.

However, Lo Celso has been involved for Spurs in pre-season, and Veliz revealed that he had been in contact with the midfielder, adding: "I spoke with Gio Lo Celso and he told me that I will have his support."

Veliz will leave Rosario with a record of 19 goals from 62 games in all tournaments, including 11 strikes from 23 outings in the first half of the 2023 Argentine Primera Division.

The 6ft 1in attacker also laid down a marker at the recent Under-20 World Cup, scoring in all three of Argentina's group fixtures before their shock last-16 exit at the hands of Nigeria.

Harry Kane celebrates scoring for Tottenham Hotspur on January 23, 2023 © Reuters

Veliz prepares to touch down in North London amid perennial uncertainty over the future of Harry Kane, who has now been the subject of three bids from German champions Bayern Munich.

Spurs rejected the Bavarians' opening two offers for Kane - who is now in the final year of his contract - and Daniel Levy has supposedly ignored Bayern's wish to respond to their £86m offer by Saturday.

As a result, Kane could potentially stay put at Tottenham for the 2023-24 campaign, and the 30-year-old is thought to be against the idea of a move away once Spurs' Premier League season begins away to Brentford on August 13.

Tottenham have already added Ashley Phillips, Guglielmo Vicario, Manor Solomon and James Maddison to their ranks this summer, and the Lilywhites are also close to finalising the arrival of Wolfsburg centre-back Micky van de Ven.

Ange Postecoglou's side will play their penultimate summer friendly at home to Shakhtar Donetsk on Sunday, before travelling to Catalonia to take on Barcelona in Tuesday's Joan Gamper Trophy clash