Who is Alejo Veliz? Spurs' anointed heir to Harry Kane
Daniel Edwards
- Updated: 5 Aug 2023 20:03 BST
- 4 min read
Soaring temperatures, packed beaches, hands sticky with ice cream and Harry Kane transfer rumours: these are the staples of any summer worth its salt.
The Tottenham star has once again seen his future in north London thrown up in the air, as for yet another summer window he is linked with a move to a club which could finally deliver the silverware missing from his glittering career to date.
And while nothing is yet confirmed over a possible transfer to Bayern Munich, seemingly the closest to landing England's No. 9, Spurs are already planning for eventual life without Kane - by signing one of South America's hottest young strikers.
The truth behind Kane transfer poker
Alejo Veliz may be 11 years Kane's junior at just 19, but it is impossible to overlook the similarities between the two imposing, powerful centre-forwards. Tottenham have certainly seen something they like in the Rosario Central star, and are on the verge of closing a bumper $23 million transfer that would shatter 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 more closely fits the mould of the archetypal Argentine playmaker, Veliz is something different entirely. The teenager is a classic line-leading No. 9, lethal in the box while barely active elsewhere on the pitch, and with an instinct for goals incredibly rare in a player so young.
Veliz's journey to north London
The striker also had the advantage of learning from two of the best. His breakout at Central at the start of 2022 coincided with a final farewell from club legend and ex-Villarreal, River Plate and Argentina forward Marco Ruben, Veliz's idol.
Then, later that year, Carlos Tevez walked through the doors of El Gigante de Arroyito to take up his first (and to date only) coaching job. Carlitos' time at Central proved a rather humbling failure and lasted just a matter of months, but he still managed to leave a big impression on his charge.
"We're happy to have Carlos Tevez as our coach," he told ESPN. "He played in the world's best leagues. I take every piece of advice that he gives me."
That advice clearly seems to have paid off. Veliz smashed 11 goals in the Liga Profesional to finished joint-third in the top scorer charts, a feat even more impressive considering that he missed four of Central's 27 matches due to international commitments with Argentina U-20.
The forward has also shined with his nation. He found the net in all three of Argentina's group stage games during the U-20 World Cup and pushed Nigeria's defence hard as the Albiceleste went down in the last 16. All three of those goals, moreover, came off Veliz's head, a recurring theme throughout his young career.
To put it simply, his prowess in the air is almost frightening. His ability to drift free of his marker in anticipation of the cross; the height, timing and hangtime he achieves when he leaps; the sheer power generated on contact: even at 19 years of age Veliz is already a master of this somewhat underappreciated art.
All of which will be music to Tottenham's ears after years of enjoying Kane's own aerial talents. But that is not the end of Veliz's appeal. He is a proficient footballer on the ground too, and can score with ease off both feet as well as his head. Veliz may need some time to adapt to his new surroundings once a deal goes through, but given the opportunity he has every chance to become Spurs' latest beloved Argentine star - and a worthy replacement for a club legend.
