The complex world of international football transfers often feels like a giant puzzle where several pieces must move at the exact same time. Currently, Tottenham Hotspur finds itself in the middle of a delicate negotiation involving their young striker, Alejo Véliz.
While the London club has already struck an agreement in principle to sell the player to the Brazilian side Bahia, the deal is far from simple. Because Véliz is currently on loan at Rosario Central in Argentina, Tottenham must navigate a maze of legal and emotional hurdles before the move can be finalized.
The situation has become even more complicated following public pleas from his current teammates, who are desperate to keep him exactly where he is.
The financial details of the deal started to emerge earlier this month. Reports suggest that Tottenham has accepted an offer of approximately €8.6 million from Bahia. For the Brazilian club, which is part of the powerful City Football Group the same organization that owns Manchester City landing Véliz would be a significant statement of intent.
However, Tottenham made a tactical error in their loan agreement with Rosario Central last July. The recall clause that would have allowed the Premier League side to bring him back at any time is no longer valid.
This means that Thomas Frank’s side cannot simply order the player to move; they have to negotiate a compensation package with the Argentine club to end the loan early.
While the boardrooms are busy discussing numbers, the human element of the story is playing out on the training pitch in Argentina. Véliz has found his rhythm back at his former club, scoring five goals and providing an assist in sixteen appearances. He has become a vital part of the team’s attack and a popular figure in the dressing room.
This was made clear during a recent press conference where his teammate, Enzo Giménez, spoke openly about the situation. Giménez, a 27-year-old Paraguayan international who has grown close to Véliz, didn’t hold back when asked if he wanted the striker to stay.
He made a heartfelt plea, stating that the club and the players genuinely need him. “I want him to stay with us because he’s a great player,” Giménez told reporters. “We are very happy with him, so hopefully he can stay a while longer.”
| Transfer Stakeholders | Current Position | Motivating Factor |
| Tottenham Hotspur | Seeking Permanent Sale | Cashing in on an underperforming asset |
| Bahia (City Group) | Buyer | Strengthening squad for Brazilian season |
| Rosario Central | Current Loan Club | Retaining their top goal threat |
| Alejo Véliz | Caught in the Middle | Finding stability after failed stints in Spain |
The saga is particularly poignant because of Véliz’s difficult journey since moving to London in 2023. After joining Spurs with high expectations, he struggled to secure regular minutes in the Premier League.
Seeking to build his confidence, the club sent him on loan to Spain, where he spent eighteen months divided between Sevilla and Espanyol. Unfortunately, his time in La Liga was underwhelming, and he returned to South America last summer to rebuild his reputation.
Now that he has finally rediscovered his scoring touch, Tottenham sees an opportunity to recoup their investment and sell him while his value is high.
The pressure is now on Tottenham to find a “golden handshake” that satisfies Rosario Central. Without a significant financial incentive, the Argentine side has no reason to let their star striker walk away in the middle of a productive season.
Meanwhile, the tempting offer from Bahia remains on the table, backed by the financial muscle of the City Football Group. It is a classic conflict between the business side of the sport and the sporting needs of a club trying to compete at the highest level.
For the player himself, the choice is difficult. A move to Bahia represents a step into a massive global network of clubs and a chance to play in the highly competitive Brazilian league.
However, staying at Rosario Central offers the comfort of home and a team that clearly values his contributions. As the negotiations continue, the words of Enzo Giménez serve as a reminder that players are more than just line items on a balance sheet.
They are members of a community, and sometimes, the love of a teammate is more persuasive than a multimillion-dollar transfer fee.
