Football Transfers

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Soaring temperatures, crowded beaches, hands sticky with ice cream and Harry Kane transfer rumors: these are the staples of these past few summers.

The Tottenham star has once again seen his future in north London up in the air, as for yet another summer window he is linked with a move to a club that could finally deliver the trophies missing from his glittering career to date. .

And while nothing has yet been confirmed about a possible transfer to Bayern Munich, seemingly the closest thing to landing England’s No. 9, Spurs are already planning an eventual life without Kane, signing one of the youngest forwards around. popular in South America

Alejo Veliz may be 11 years younger than Kane at just 19, but it’s impossible to miss the similarities between the two imposing and powerful center forwards. Tottenham have certainly seen something to like in the Rosario Central star, and they are about to finalize a terrific $23 million transfer that would break the club record for a sale, set by Facundo Buonanotte in January with his move to Brighton.

Alejo Véliz wanted Tottenham despite an approach from another top European club. Contract will be valid until June 2028 ⚪️🇦🇷 #THFC

Current plan is for Véliz not to be loaned out to Rosario Central. Decision will be made soon, documents to be exchanged in the next 24/48h. pic.twitter.com/ORU6vQn2Je

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 4, 2023

While Buonanotte fits more the mold of the archetypal Argentinian playmaker, Véliz is something else entirely.

The teenager is a classic No. 9 line leader, lethal in the box while barely active on the rest of the pitch, and with an instinct for goal unbelievably rare in such a young player.

Veliz’s trip to North London

The striker also had the benefit of learning from two of the best. His arrival at Central at the beginning of 2022 coincided with the last goodbye of the club legend and former striker for Villarreal, River Plate and Argentina Marco Rubén, Véliz’s idol.

Later that same year, Carlos Tevez walked through the doors of El Gigante de Arroyito to take on his first (and only to date) job as a coach. Carlitos’ time at Central turned out to be quite a humiliating failure and lasted only a few months, but he still managed to make quite an impression on his role.

“We are happy to have Carlos Tevez as our coach,” he told ESPN. “He played in the best leagues in the world. I follow all the advice he gives me.”

© ProShots

That advice clearly seems to have paid off. Veliz scored 11 goals in the Liga Profesional to finish third in the top scorers table, an even more impressive feat considering he missed four of Central’s 27 games due to international commitments with Argentina U-20s.

The striker has also shone with his nation. He found the net in all three of Argentina’s group games during the Under-20 World Cup and pushed Nigeria’s defense hard as the Albiceleste lost in the round of 16. The three goals also came from Véliz’s head, a recurring theme. throughout his young career.

Simply put, his prowess in the air is almost terrifying. His ability to get away from his marker in anticipation of the cross; the height, time and hang time he reaches when he jumps; the sheer power generated on contact: even at 19, Véliz is already a master of this underappreciated art.

All of which will be music to Tottenham’s ears after years of enjoying Kane’s aerial talents. But that’s not the end of Alejo’s appeal.

He is also a competent footballer on the ground and can easily score with both his feet and his head. Véliz may need some time to adjust to his new surroundings once a deal is signed, but given the chance, he has every chance of becoming Spurs’ latest beloved Argentine star – and a worthy replacement for a club legend.

2023-08-05 18:39:11
#Alejo #Veliz #Harry #Kanes #heir #Tottenham